The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II: A Diplomatic Edition and a Critical Edition 9781442621688

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THE ROMANCE OF TRISTRAN BY BEROUL AND BEROUL II

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

A DIPLOMATIC EDITION AND A CRITICAL EDITION BY BARBARA N. SARGENT-BAUR

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS Toronto Buffalo London

© University of Toronto Press 2015 Toronto Buffalo London www.utppublishing.com Printed in the U.S.A. ISBN 978-1-4426-4987-3

Printed on acid-free, 100% post-consumer recycled paper with vegetablebased inks.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Béroul, active 12th century [Roman de Tristan] The romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II : a diplomatic edition and a critical edition / [edited] by Barbara N. Sargent-Baur. Includes bibliographical references and index. Poem in Old French; introduction in English. ISBN 978-1-4426-4987-3 (bound) 1. Tristan (Legendary character) – Romances. 2. Arthurian romances. I. Sargent-Baur, Barbara Nelson, editor II. Title. III. Title: Roman de Tristan PQ1537.A2S27 2015

841′.1

C2014-908171-5

University of Toronto Press acknowledges the financial assistance to its publishing program of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

University of Toronto Press acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund for its publishing activities.

Contents

Acknowledgments Preface

vii

ix

Notes on the Preface

xvii

A Remark on the Diplomatic and Critical Editions Diplomatic Edition Critical Edition

116

Rejected Readings Notes

3

229

234

Bibliography

323

Index of Proper Names

331

xix

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Acknowledgments

I am much beholden to many scholars and editors who have, for over a century, wrestled with Béroul’s fascinating and difficult text; my numerous debts to them are acknowledged in the Notes and in the Bibliography. With deep gratitude I here take note of the professorial and indeed fatherly interest of Brian Woledge during my Fulbright year at University College London and for many years thereafter. I thank Anne Melnyk for preparing the map of Cornwall, meant to assist the modern reader in following the comings and goings of the characters in this geographically specific narrative set in a location where several place-names have survived to our own time. The task of preparing Béroul’s Roman de Tristran for publication has been greatly lightened by the formidable technical skills, the attention to detail, and the meticulous proof-reading of Erich de Villiers. The University of Pittsburgh has provided welcome material assistance in the form of a generous subvention from the Richard D. and Mary Jane Edwards Endowed Publication Fund in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. I greatly appreciate this support from the University of Pittsburgh, where I spent the whole of my academic career.

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Preface

To undertake a new edition of Béroul’s Roman de Tristran is to engage in an adventure not unlike entering the Forest of Morrois. There are paths, to be sure, and clearings, and places of relative safety and easy going; there is game, too, and in plenty, for adept and resolute hunters. Of these last there are and have been many, over a century and more; and modern students of medieval French literature are much in their debt. The maps these explorers have drawn differ in many a detail, owing to problems partly of a cultural nature (e.g., activities and artifacts and technical terms and social relationships frequently left unexplained by authors writing for their contemporaries). Linguistic matters, too, have required much attention: vocabulary and syntax frequently constitute pitfalls along the way. Further challenges arise from the poet’s chosen task of composing, for oral delivery, a long narrative measured out in rhyming octosyllabic couplets; the exigencies of metre and rhyme frequently take precedence over grammatical correctness and general clarity. The carelessness of the transcriber, capable of writing sheer nonsense and only occasionally correcting himself, is one more complicating factor. The traveller is frequently obliged to peer through thick underbrush to glimpse the text that the scribe undertook to transmit in this incomplete, lamentable, and lamentably unique copy. The analogy of a literary experience and a geographical adventure is, of course, only approximate. As it happens, we do not enter Béroul’s space from the outside; we are already well within it on the first preserved, albeit damaged, folio. The manuscript has in fact not had an easy time of it; both its beginning and its end are lost, and what remains has been damaged by water and wear-and-tear. To form an idea of what is missing, and the general shape and scope of the original text, one

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must have recourse to other medieval versions of the tale. This we must do while bearing in mind that not every episode contained in those other tellings was necessarily to have found a place in the narrative as projected by Béroul. The enterprise is rendered more complicated by a matter encountered well along in the course of the expedition: that of authority. Is the narrator to be trusted? As it happens, this doubt has been anticipated. The claim is twice advanced that what the text contains is an account of an estoire already in existence, one that is being circulated by story-tellers. These last, though, we are given to understand, are unreliable guides; they are brushed aside as being vulgar and ignorant contëor incapable of appreciating Tristran’s character and, by implication, generally unworthy of credence. This caution is first pronounced in the episode of the lepers’ chief, Yvain, to whom Iseut has been handed over by the command of her husband, King Marc, as punishment for her adultery (known to the reader, suspected by Marc). She is saved from a fate worse than death by the intervention of Tristran and Governal: Li contëor dient qu’Yvain Firent nier, qui sont vilain. Nen sevent mie bien l’estoire; Berous l’a meus en son memoire: Trop ert Tristran preuz et cortois A ocire gent de tes lois. (1265–70)1 Story-tellers get this incident only partly right. A certain Berous (here named for the first time in the fragment) remembers the matter more accurately; his memory is shored up by his superior understanding of his hero’s noble nature and hence of what actions are and are not to be ascribed to him. Some five hundred lines after this bit of self-promotion, the narrator returns to the theme of the “true story” and his own better acquaintance with it. Now he asserts concerning the lovers that never did two people partake of such a draught (sc., pleasure mingled with pain), or love so intensely, or pay for it so dearly. Once again his authority is the estoire, which this time he claims not only to know well but to have seen in writing (unlike, he implies, his rivals, who are limited to what they may or may not recollect from listening to each other and sharing their ignorance):

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Ainz puis le tens que el bois furent Deus genz itant de tel ne burent; Ne, si conme l’estoire dit, La ou Berous le vit escrit, Nule gent tant ne s’entramerent Ne si griment nu conpererent. (1787–92) Hence the two portions of the text in which the name Berous appears function to authenticate, and thus promote, this individual’s retelling of the estoire. We are confronted with a medieval commonplace: the author of a particular text prides himself (or herself) not on originality but on fidelity to the “true story,” at the same time claiming to present this well-known, and basically worthy, material more accurately and competently and seemingly than other relaters have done and may currently be doing. He also manages to insinuate that people of taste will prefer his version to those of his rivals: the well-known ploy of captatio benevolentiæ. Both these passages contain possibly false or at least confusing leads. (Is the Berous in lines 1263 and 1790 to be taken as the author’s source, or as the true author, identifying himself in the third person and thereby providing an internal signature?) Although the details provided vary, there is no fundamental clash between these two sets of lines; in both, a certain Berous is invoked; in both, the estoire is cited in support of the information now being supplied. This does not, though, hold true of the latter part of the preserved text. This contains striking discrepancies on the narrative level, first briefly anticipated following line 2753, then developed in the course of the remaining text. The foreshadowing lines appear, unexpectedly, in the preparations for the reunion of King Marc and Queen Iseut. Summoned by royal ban, all the knights and ladies have turned out. The queen has been sorely missed during her threeyear absence from court, for nearly all love her – Fors des felons, que Deus cravent! (Tuit quatre [en orent] tes soudees: Li dui en furent mort d’espees, Li tierz d’une seete ocis; A duel morurent el païs. Li forestier qui’s encusa Mort cruele n’en refusa, Quar Perinis li franc, li blois,

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L’ocist puis d’un gibet el bois. Deus les venga de toz ces quatre Qui vout le fier orguel abatre.) (2754–64) Here the three felon (= hostile barons) are still not individuated;2 but one of them, Tristran’s most hated enemy (1687–8) – yet even he is nameless – was earlier struck down, cut in pieces with the sword, and beheaded by Governal while hunting (1708–11). Thus only two should now remain. As for the forester, he appears to have led a double life. Having discovered the fugitive lovers asleep in their makeshift shelter, run two leagues, and denounced them to King Marc (who promptly found them but spared their lives), he had summarily been sent on his way (2073–4). Yet later this same forester, unmistakably identified by the narrator as the one who had led Marc to the lovers, reappears in the jousting scene on the Blanche Lande and is surprisingly mounted on a war horse, as if he were a knight. Governal vit le forestier Venir des tre[s] sur un destrier, Qui vout Tristran livre[r] a mort En la forest, ou dormoit fort. Gran[t] aleüre a lui s’adrece, Ja ert de mort en grant destrece. Le fer trenchant li mist el cors; O l’acier bote le cuir fors. Cil chaï mort si c’onques prestre N’i vint a tens ne n’i pot estre. (4045–54) It seems clear that the author of this latter part of the poem did not, unlike the Berous of 1789–90, take the trouble, or perhaps have the opportunity, to consult the written estoire so as to ensure that the details in his continuation agreed with those in the earlier section. Scholars have debated for over a century the question of single/ dual/multiple authorship on linguistic as well as literary grounds. The hypothesis of the work being a collection of episodes from various sources is no longer a live issue. The case has been made, ably and repeatedly through the past half-century, for crediting a single author with the Roman de Tristran as it has been transmitted to us. One thinks of Pierre Le Gentil’s “La légende de Tristan vue par Béroul et Thomas,” of Micheline Hanoset’s “Unité ou dualité du Tristan de Béroul,” of Anthony Holden’s “Note sur la langue de Béroul,” of Alberto Varvaro’s

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“La teoria dell’archetipo tristaniano,” and of Alfred Ewert’s comments that begin volume II of his edition. Also in the single-author camp is Stewart Gregory, who in the introduction to his 1992 edition of the The Romance of Tristran by Béroul examined the evidence advanced for the dualist hypothesis and cautiously postulated that the preserved text is most likely to be the work of one writer (xxiii–xxix). The same conclusion was reached, after a lengthy and most careful study, by Richard Illingworth in “The Composition of the Tristran of Béroul” (positing a process of the revision applied sequentially to the whole of the preserved poem); this was published posthumously in 2001. As for the dual-author thesis, it was announced by Ernest Muret in the title of his first edition, of 1903: Le Roman de Tristan par Béroul et un anonyme, poème du XIIe siècle (“et un anonyme” was dropped in the subsequent editions). Beginning in 1958, Guy Raynaud de Lage has repeatedly championed this position. In their reprint of the Muret edition published in 1947, “L.M. Defourques” proposed that ms. f. fr. 2171 was not meant for readers; it is a brouillon, destined for recitation, une œuvre de jongleur (viii). T.B.W. Reid in “The Tristran of Béroul: One Author or Two?” (1965) leaned towards two authors, rather than a single one revising the latter part of the poem. Herman Braet and Guy Raynaud de Lage (edition, 1989, vol. II, 3–5) offer a concise but nuanced overview of the stances taken on the matter of authorship; with reservations and hesitations, and on multiple grounds, structural, stylistic, philological, and morphological, these scholars incline towards a double création. For my part, I do not find the single-author position compelling, for a variety of reasons. To begin with narrative matters, the discrepancies between the two parts (2–2754 and 2755–4485, the end of the preserved fragment) remain too numerous and too substantial to be resolved in spite of scholars’ efforts to do so. Tristran in the earlier segment had four enemies (three barons of Marc’s court and also a forester). One of the trio (collectively labelled felons) is killed by Governal’s sword, 1656–1750; yet in 2755–64 it is stated that Tristran had four enemies: two killed with a sword, one with an arrow, and the forester slain by Perinis with a club. Certainly with regard to information supplied there are enough anomalies in the latter portion of the text, beginning at 2755, to suggest a change of author/redactor. The differences in details between the first part and the second, which have often been pointed out, appear to me too many and too substantial to be accounted for by lapses on the part of the same individual, unless he had been stricken by amnesia and/ or simply did not choose to verify what he had written earlier (and of which he had earlier vaunted the accuracy).

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There is another feature differentiating the two unequal parts of the romance as preserved: a matter of characterization and of tone. In the first section, although there is no doubt that Tristran and Iseut are lovers and that this relationship had begun prior to Iseut’s marriage to Marc, the situation is presented with circumspection by the poet and by his characters as well. Iseut in the first preserved scene, addressing Tristran but also the hidden and listening Marc, protests against slanderers who have influenced the king concerning her and Tristran: she asserts never to have loved any man except the one who had her as a virgin (24–5). Her statement is deliberately ambivalent,3 but her language is seemly as befits a queen; both her words and her manner convince Marc of her faithfulness to him. Even after Tristran is caught in the royal bedchamber in a highly compromising situation and dragged off for a summary execution, as is Iseut, the language used by the principals remains on a high level. The same applies to the lovers’ discourse after they make their escape, during their chance visit to the hermit Ogrin (1362f.); they confess their love but blame it on the potion, which they are powerless to resist.4 They remain lovers through the three harsh years of their subsequent sojourn in the forest. Sleeping together, by day and night, is the norm, and it is in this posture that they are discovered first by Marc’s forester and then by Marc himself. That their bodies are clothed, and separated by Tristran’s sword, is taken by Marc as a sign of chaste relations, and the danger passes. Their speech and actions continue to be recorded as discreet. In contrast with this stand the behaviour and verbal style of both lovers after the queen has been publicly restored to her husband and reintegrated into society, and Tristran has gone off into self-imposed exile. (Not, in fact, very far away.) Questions again arise concerning Iseut’s past behaviour. She insists on a public and judicial trial of her fidelity before outside witnesses. To settle the matter once and for all, her formal abjuration is to take place before all the Cornish, rich and poor, and also before King Arthur with most of the knights of his household. Tristran, instructed by Iseut’s messenger, will be at the escondit, disguised as a leper and begging for alms. (Oddly, he is to keep his gains and show them to Iseut privately, 3308–12.) On the day appointed, Tristran, in his beggar’s garb, is seated on a mound near the edge of the marsh. The passing serving-lads who mock him receive blows from his stick, blows that draw blood. When Marc’s knights ride up to cross the marsh, the “leper” directs them to the deepest part, then laughs heartily at their misfortunes. He successfully begs a pair of gaiters of King Arthur (3715f.), and other clothing from his entourage. Then he begs

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of the arriving King Marc, who gives him his hood and makes kindly inquiry about his history. To him Tristran gives him the genealogy of his disease. He got it from his amie, who caught it from her husband and passed it on to him. But she was beautiful, more so than any other woman – save the fair Iseut; they even dress alike. This is playing with fire; but the evocation of adultery and the mention of the queen’s name draw only a laugh from Marc. Not content with mockingly asking alms of the riders attempting to cross the marsh, Tristran deliberately misdirects the three felons when they come to the ford (3788f.), sending them to the worst part of the mire. Their horses lose their footing; all three riders fall off together. Iseut, arriving just then, laughs at them. Donoalen receives the special attention of the “leper,” who offers to pull him out with his staff, then lets go of it when his victim has grasped it firmly. The three felons, at last hauled from the marsh and much in need of a bath, undress before the crowd and put on fresh clothing. Iseut (and her escort Dinas) find all this highly diverting. This Schadenfreude is an aspect of her character we have not observed before. Nor is another that shows itself shortly thereafter before the two kings and the assembled magnates and commoners who have watched her drive her palfrey across the marsh, then traverse it herself by the plank bridge. This she does while bestriding the “leper” whose services she has demanded. Thanks to him she arrives clean and safe on the farther shore, but refuses to reward him for his trouble with a requested gift of food for the night. To King Arthur’s urging of charity Iseut replies at length with a flat refusal reinforced with an obscene double entendre (3962–80). A good many features of this Mal Pas scene, in fact, show affinities with the fabliau.5 One more element of this last preserved segment of the romance invites notice: Tristran’s prayer just before loosing the lethal arrow towards Godoïne. He prays for divine assistance in making an accurate shot, invoking God’s (i.e., Christ’s) self-sacrifice for the good of mankind. Braet/Raynaud de Lage alone have signalled the crashing impropriety of this association of ideas. In sum, the discrepancies in the narration, and the notable coarsening in the actions and speech of the lovers, argue for either a drastic evolution on the part of the poet or (more likely) a continuation of one writer’s enterprise by another of a patently differing sensibility. A matter of compositional technique differentiating the work of Béroul and Béroul II should also be noted. The second part of the romance is more heavily weighted towards speech, and specifically dialogue, than is the

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first, and a good many of these passages feature short and rapid exchanges each occupying less than one line (e.g., 3217–27, 3749–76, 4275–4312).6 For purposes of the present edition, I shall refer to our poet, up to line 2754, as Béroul. The author of the rest, when a distinction between the two seems advisable to avoid confusion, will be designated as Béroul II. (No authorial claim, or name, is supplied later than line 1790.) The passages in which the first poet names himself (or is named) function to authenticate, and thus to promote, his retelling of the first part of the story. Both redactors’ accounts of the tale are preserved (if that is the mot juste) in ms. f. fr. 2171 of the Bibliothèque nationale at Paris. The manuscript contains only the Tristran. The single and careless hand is of the second half of the thirteenth century (which makes the copy roughly a century younger than the text).7 Abbreviations, often badly written, abound; as in other editions, they have been expanded here on the basis of the scribe’s practice elsewhere in the manuscript. Both beginning and end are missing, and a good many of the folios, particularly the first few, are badly damaged. In all, some 4485 lines remain. The text is copied on both sides of thirty-two vellum folios, in two columns, each usually of thirty-five lines, on each side. The pages measure 234 mm x 157 mm; the written part usually occupies 165 mm x 120 mm. The folios are bound in gatherings of eight, of which the succession is assured by catch-words. Each line begins with a letter (often a capital) separated by a space from what follows. The manuscript can now be viewed in the online collection of the Bibliothèque nationale. The medium of Béroul and Béroul II was standard francien, with some traits pointing to southwest Normandy.8 The particular features of Béroul’s language have been studied by philologists for over a century. The task is a challenging one, owing to numerous factors. Like other writers of French narrative in the latter half of the twelfth century, Béroul composed in verse and specifically in rhyming octosyllabic couplets, a medium that imposed formal constraints on narrative flow and also on vocabulary and syntax. This last element in the Roman de Tristran is frequently subject to unorthodox handling; many infractions of the twocase system (and there are indeed very many, some attributable to the careless scribe but others to be laid at the poet’s own door) can only be explained by the constraints of metre and rhyme. One might offer in the author’s defence that after all his verses were meant to be read aloud to an audience, one hungry for entertainment and perhaps not inclined to be over-critical; they were not intended for grammarians and editors.

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Given the abundance of commentary on the language of this romance, the best course may be not to rehearse what has already been done. It would be extremely difficult to improve upon Ewert’s discussion of the matter in volume II of his edition (1970). The other scholars whose contributions to this field have been especially noteworthy, and on whom I have often and thankfully drawn in the preparation of this edition, figure repeatedly with abbreviated citations in the Notes. Fuller references, and more numerous ones, will be found in the Bibliography. I propose to direct the present enterprise towards a literary quest: what sort of story did these authors undertake to tell, and how did they go about it? It is with a view to helping the reader/traveller on his or her way that I have included in this volume a diplomatic edition of the Roman de Tristran, reproducing the appearance of the manuscript pages insofar as this may be achieved with modern typography. This addition to the standard critical apparatus accompanying earlier editions may help to clarify the hesitations and perplexities of the present editor, and of previous ones as well. My intention in this Critical Edition is to address the reader who is familiar with Old French and is acquainted with problems of oral composition and transmission, as well as the preservation in writing of literary texts in medieval France and England. A translation into Modern English is offered in the Student Edition.

NOTES 1 Quotations are taken from the present Critical Edition. 2 In 2822–7, Iseut, in a non sequitur, will call a curse upon the felons collectively. As for the names of the three, one must wait until 3138–9 to learn that they are Godoïne, Guenelon, and Danalain (frequently mentioned, with spelling variations, thereafter). 3 She is really referring to Tristran. 4 Other versions of the story include the voyage of Tristran and Iseut from Ireland to Cornwall, and their accidental drinking of the love-potion meant for King Marc and his intended bride. 5 See Sargent-Baur, “Between Fabliau and Romance.” 6 I owe this observation to Erich de Villiers. 7 For a very detailed account of the scribe’s idiosyncrasies, see Ewert I, ix–xiii. 8 On the dialectal features of the text, Ewert is again a reliable guide; see his II, 28–33. See also Gregory’s edition, xxi–xxiii.

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A Remark on the Diplomatic and Critical Editions

Manuscript f. fr. 2171 of the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris is in deplorable shape, lacking head and tail and possessing many damaged folios, beginning with the first preserved one. This fact is well known to students of the Roman de Tristran, in a general way. It occurs to the present editor that some of these students might find it useful to have access to the text without travelling to Paris or consulting the digital reproduction accessible on-line from the BnF. In this volume the poem is presented in diplomatic transcription, followed by a critical edition and explanatory notes. (A translation into English is supplied in the Student Edition.) In the editions that follow, indecipherable lines and words are signalled by a series of periods, and rubrication by bold font. Missing words or parts thereof are surrounded by square brackets following my conjectures and those of other scholars; see the Notes on this volume. The copy was also made roughly a century after the text was composed. The fact that the romance is shaped in octosyllabic couplets is of some help in this work of restoration: a clear fault in metre or rhyme (or syntax) is an indicator of a problem, even if it is not always of much help in reaching beyond the careless scribe to the presumably more careful (authorial?) copy he had before him. The Diplomatic Edition here offered attempts to reproduce the manuscript in modern typography, with the numerous abbreviation marks spelled out in accordance with the scribe’s usage elsewhere in the text and, lacking that, with general scribal practice in the francophone sphere in the second half of the thirteenth century. The Critical Edition aims at making the Diplomatic Edition accessible to the modern reader of Old French. There has been some reordering

xx A Remark on the Diplomatic and Critical Editions

of misplaced lines (in some cases following the marginal directions of the scribe), some correction of rhymes according to the practices found elsewhere in the text, a frequent expansion of abbreviations, and the addition of modern punctuation. The Notes that follow are intended to illuminate a variety of matters, cultural, material, technological, sociological, and the like.

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THE ROMANCE OF TRISTRAN BY BEROUL AND BEROUL II

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Diplomatic Edition

.............. Que nul senblant derien en face Com ele aprisme son ami O iez com el la deuanci S [ire Tristran] por deu leroi [si grant pechie auez de moi] [Qui me mandez a itel ore] [O r fait senblant con sele plore] [. . . . . . . . . . mie] [. . . . . . . mes en uie] [. . . . . . ceste asenblee] [ . . . . . . . . . . .sespee] .............. .............. [Con me . . . . . . . . . . . [P ar deu qui lair fist et la mer] N [e me mandez nule fois mais] I euos [di bien tristran a fais] C ertes ie [ni uendroie mie] L irois pen[se que par folie] S ire tristran [uos aie ame] M ais [dex pleuis ma loia]ute Qui sor [mon cors mete flaele] [S onques fors cil qui mot pucele] Out [m’amistie encor nul] ior [S e li ]felon de cest enor P or qui iadis uos conbatistes O le morhout qant loceistes

1a

4

8

12

16

20

24

28

4

Diplomatic Edition

L ifont acroire cemesenble Que nos amors iostent ensenble S ire uos nen auez talent N eie pardeu omnipotent N ai corage de druerie Qui tort a nule uilanie M ex uoudroie que iefusearse A valleuent lapoudre esparse I or que ieuiue que amor A ie ohome quo mon seignor Et dex sinemen croit ilpas I e puis dire dehaut sibas [S] ire molt dist uoir salemon [Qui de forches trai]ent larron [I a pus ne lamera nul] ior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [nor] [. . . . . . . . . . . . ] [. . . . . . . . . . . . ] [. . . . . . . . . . . . ] [. . aise . . parole . .] [. . a nos deusent il cel]er [M olt uos estu]t mal endurer D e laplaie que uos preistes E n labatalle que feistes O mon oncle ie uos gari S e uos men eriez ami N ert pas meruelle parmafoi Et il ont fait entendre auroi Que uos mamez damor uilaine S iuoient il deu et son reigne I anuluerroint en laface T ristran gardez en nule place N eme mandez por nulechose I eneseroie pas tant ose Que ie i osase uenir T rop demor ci nen qirr mentir S or ensauoit li rois .i. mot M on cors seret desmenbre tot Et si seroit a molt grant tort B ien sai quil me dorroit lamort

32

1b

36

40

44

48

52

56

60

64

68

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

T ristran certes li rois ne set que por lui pas uos aie ameit P orce queres duparente V os auoie ie encherte I equidai iadis que mamere A mast molt les parenzmonpere Et disoit ce que ia mollier N en auroit ia seignor chier Qui les p[arenz nen amereit] C [ertes bien sai que uoir diset [S ire molt tai por lui ame] E t ien ai tot perdu son gre] [C ertes et il nen . . . . .] [P or qoi seroit tot suen li . . .] S[ i home li ont fait acroire] D e nos [tel chose qui nest uoire] S ire Tristran que [uolez] dire molt est cortois lirois mis[ire] I a nupensast nul ior parlui Q en cest pense fuson andui M ais lenpuet home desueie F aire lemal et bien laisier S ialon fait demon seignor T ristran uois men trop idemor D ame por amor deu merci m andai toi et or es ici E ntent un poi amaproiere Iatai ie tant tenue chiere Q ant out oi parler sadrue S out que sestoit aperceue D eu enrent graces et merci O rset que bien istront deci A hi: yseut fille deroi F ranche cortoise bonefoi Par plusors foiz uos aimandee P uis que chanbre mefu uee N epuis ne poi auos parler D ame oruos uuel merci crier Qui l uos menbre decest chaitif Qui atraual et aduel uif

5

1c 72

76

80

84

88

92

96

100

104 1d 108

6

Diplomatic Edition

Q ar iai tel duel conques leroi O utmal [pense] de uos uers moi Que il ni a el fors que ie muere F [ort mest a . . . que ie . . .] D [ame granz] . . . . . . . . . . ] ................ ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fai] . . . . . . . . . . [mon corage] . . . . . . . . [quil fust si sage] . . . . . [creust pas losengier] [M o]i des[or] lui [a esloi]gnier [Li fel cover]t corneualeis [O r en sont] lie et font gabois [O r uoi ie bien si] coniequit [Qui l ne uoudro]ient que olui E ust [home] deson linage M olt [ma pen]e son mariage D ex por quoi est lirois si fol A inz melairoie par le col P endre aun arbre qen mauie O uos preise druerie I l nemelait sol escondire P or ses felons uers moisaire T rop parfait mal quil lesen croit D eceu lont goteneuoit M olt les uiia taisans et muz Q ant limorhot fucauenuz O unen iout .i. deus totseus Qui osast prendre ses adous M olt ui mon oncle iluec pensis M ex uosist estre mort queuis P orson or croistre men armai Con bati men silen chacai N edeust pas mis oncles chiers D emoi croire seslosengiers S ouent en ai mon cuer irie [P ense il que] nen ait pechie [C ertes oil ni faudra mie] [P or deu li fiz sainte marie] D [ame ore li dites errant]

112

116

120

124

128

132

136

140 2a

144

148

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

[qil face faire un re ardant] [E t ie men entrerai el re] [S e ia un poil en ai brusle] [D e la haire quaurai uestu] S [i me laist tot ardoir u feu] [Q ar ie sai bien na de sa cort] Qui [a batalle o moi sen tort] D [ame por uostre grant franchise] D ont ne uo[s en est pitie prise] D ame ie uos [en cri merci] T enez moi [bien a mon ami] Q ant ieu[inc ca a lui] par mer Com aseignor [i uol] torner P arfoi s[ire grant] tort auez qui detel [chose] amoi parlez Que deuos lemete araison Et desire face pardon J eneuuel pas encor morir N emoi dutot entot perir I l uos mescroit demoi forment Et ientendrai le parlement D onc seroie ie trop hardie Par foi tristran nen ferai mie N euos numedeuez requerre T ote sui sole enceste terre I luos afait chanbres ueer P ormoi sil ormen ot parler B ien meporroit tenir por fole Par foi ianendirai parole Et si uos dirai une rien S iuuel que uos lesacies bien S eil uos pardounot beausire Par [deu son] mautalent et sire I en[seroie ioio]se et lie [S or sauoit ceste c]heuauchie [C el sai ie bien q ue ia resort] [T ristran nauroit contre la mort] [V ois men imais ne prendrai some] [G rant poor ai que aucun home] [N e uos ait ci ueu uenir] [S un mot en]puet lirois oir

7

152

156

160

164

168

172

2b

176

180

184

188

8

Diplomatic Edition

[Que nos fuson ]ca asenble I lmeferoit ardoir enre N eseret pas meruelle grant M is cors trenble poorai grant D elapoor qui or me prent V ois men trop sui ci longuement I seut sentorne illarapele d ame pordeu qui enpucele P rist porle pueple umanite Con selliez moi par charite B ien sai niosezmais remaindre F ors auos nesai a qui plaindre B ien sai que molt me het lirois E ngagiez est tot mon hernois C ar lemefaites deliurer S imenfuirai nios ester B ien sai que iai grant prooise Par tote terre ousol adoise B ien sai que umonde nacort S iuois lisires nemauot Et se onques point dusuen oi Y seut par cest mien chief lebloi N el seuoudroit auoirpense M es oncles ainz .i. an passe P orsi grant dor com il est toz N euos enqier mentir .ii. mot Y seut por [deu de moi pensez] E nuers [mon oste maquitez] [Par deu tristran molt me meruel] [Que me donez itel consel] [V os malez porchacant mon mal] [I cest consel nest pas loial] [V os sauez bien la mescreance] [O u soit a uoir ou set enfance] P ardeu [li sire glorios] Qui forma ciel et terre [et nos] S eil en ot .i. mot parler Que uos gages face aquiter T rop parseroit aperte chose Cer tes seie sui pas si osse

192

196

200

204

208

2c 212

216

220

224

228

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Que ce uos di por auerte S esacies uos deuerite A tant sen est iseut tornee Tristran laplorant saluee S orle perron demarbre bis T ristran sapuie cemest uis D emente soi alui tot sol H adex: beausire saint eutol I enepensai faire tel sainte N efoir men atel pouerte N en merre armes necheual N e conpaignon fors gouernal H adome des atorne P etit fait om delui cherte Q ant ieserai en autre terre S oi chevalier parler degerre G enenoserai mot soner H om nu na nul leu deparler O rmestoura sofrir fortune T rop maura fait [mal] et rancune B eaus oncle[s poi me deconnut] [Qui de ta feme me mescrut] [O nques noi talent de tel rage] [P etit sauroit a mon corage] ............ ............ ............ [L i rois qui sus . . . estoit] [O ut lasenblee bien ueue] [Et la raison tote entendue] [D e la pitie qau cor li prist] [Qui l ne plorast ne sen tenist] [P or nul auoir molt] a grant duel [M olt het le]nain detintaguel L [as fait li roi]s orai ueu [que li nains m]a trop deceu E nc[est arbre] me fist monter I lneme [pout] plus ahonter D emon neu[o m]efist entendre M enconge porqoi ferai pendre

9

232

236

240

244 2d 248

252

256

260

264

268

10

Diplomatic Edition

P orce me fait metre en air D e mamollier faire hair G e lencrui et si fis que fous L igerredon lensera sous S eie lepuis aspoinztenir Par feu ferai son cors fenir Par moi aura plus dure fin Que nefist faire costentin A segocon quil escolla Q ant osa femeletroua I llauoit corone arome Et laseruoient maint prodome I llatint chiere et honora En lie mesfist puis enplora T ristran sen ert pieca alez L irois delarbre est deualez E nson cuer dit orcroit safeme Et mescroit les barons dureigne Que lifaisoient [chose] acroire Que il set b[ien que nest pas] uoire Et ui q l [a proue a menconge] O rne [laira] qau nain ne donge O sespee sisa merite Par lui ni[ert] mais tra [ison] dite N eia[mais i]or ne mescroira T ristran diseut ainz lorlaira L a chanbre tot aloruoloir O rpuis je bien enfin sauoir S efeust uoir ceste asenblee N efeust pas issifinee S ilsamasent defol amor C iauoient asez leisor B ien les ueise entrebaisier G es ai oi sigramoier O rr saiie bien nen ont corage por qoi croie si fort outrage C epoisemoi simen repent M olt est fous qui croit totegent B ien deuse ainz auoir proue D e ces deus genz lauerite

272

276

280 3a

284

288

292

296

300

304

308

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Que ie euse fol espoir B uen uirent aprimer cest soir A uparlement aitant apris I amais ior nen serai pensis Par matinet serapaiez T ristran omoisaura congiez D estre amachanbre asonplesir O r est remes lisuen fuirs Que l uoloit faire lematin O iez dunain bocu frocin F ors estoit sigardoit enler V it orient et lucifer D es estoiles lecors sauoit [L] es .vii. planestres deuisoit [I l sauoit bien que ert a estre] [Q ant il oiet .i. enfant nestre] L es poinz [con tot toz de sa uie] L ina[ins frocins plain]s deuoisdie [M olt se penout] de ceus decoiure Qui delame leferoit soiure A s estoiles choisist lasente [demautalent rogist et enfle B ien set lirois fort lemenace N e laira pas quil nudeface M olt est linain nerci et pales M olt tost senuet fuiant uers gales L irois uait molt linain querant N upuet trouer sien aduel grant Y seut est ensachanbre entree B rengain lauit descoloree B ien sout que ele auoit oi T elrien dont out lecuermarri Qui simuoit et palisoit ............ E le respont bele magistre Bien doit estre pensiue et tristre B rengain neuos uelpas mentir N esai qui hui nos uout trair M ais lirois marc estoit enlarbre O uliperrons estoit demarbre

11

312

3b

316

320

324

328

332

336

340

344

348

12

Diplomatic Edition

J eui son onbre enla fontaine D exmefist parler premeraine O nques de ce que ieiquis N iout mot dit ceuos pleuis M ais meruellos conplaignement Et meruellos gemissement G elblasme queil me mandot Et il autretant mepriout Que lacordase amon seignor Qui agrant tort [ert aerror] [V ers lui demoi et ie li dis] [Que grant folie auoit dequis] [Que ie a lui mais ne uendroie] N e[ia atoi ne parleroie] N e sai que [ie plus racontasse] Con painz iout une grant [masse] O nques lirois nesapercut N emon estre nedesconnut P artie mesui dutripot Q uant lot brengain molt sen esiot I seut madame grant merci nos adex fait qui nementi Q antt iluos afait deseurer D uparrlement sanz plus outrer Que lirois nachose ueue Que nepuise estre bien tenue G ranz miracles uos afait dex I l est uerais peres et tex Que lnacore defaire mal A ceus qui sont buen et loyal T ristran rauoit tot raconte A son oncle com out ouure Q ant Goter. lot deu enmercie Que plus niout fait osamie Nepout son nain trouer lirois D ex tant ert atristran sordois A sachanbre lirois enuient I seut leuoit qui molt lecrient sire pordeu dontuenezvos A uezbesoin qui uenezsous

3c

352

356

360

364

368

372

376

380

384

3d 388

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

R oine ainz uien auosparler Et une chose demander S ineme celez pas leuoir Q ar lauerte en uuelsauoir S ire on[quues ior] neuosmenti S e[lamort doi re]ceuoirci S [endirai ie leuoir du]tot I [ani] aura m[enti dun]mot D [ame] ueispuis monneuo S [ire le]uoir [uosen]desno N ecroiras p[as que uoi]rendie M aisieldirai sanz tricherie G elui et pus parlai alui A tonneuo soz celpinfui O rmen oci roi setu ueus C ertes gelui ceest grant deus Q ar tupenses que jaim tristrain Par puterie et par auien S iai telduel que moi nenchaut S etumefais prendre .i. malsaut S ire merci acestefoiz J etai uoirdit sinemencroiz E inz croiz parole uaine M abone foi mefera saine Tristran tes nies uint soz celpin Qui est laienz en celiardin S imemanda qualasse alui N emedist rien mais iedis lui A nor faire trop frarine Par lui suiie deuos roine C ertes nefusent licuuert Qui uos dient cequi ianiert V olantiers lifeise anor S ire jostien pormonseignor Et il est uostre nies coidire P oruos lai ie tant ame sire M ais lifelon lilosengier Qui l ueulent decort esloignier T efont acroire lamenconge T ristran sen uet dex lorendoige

13

392

396

400

404

408

412

416

420 4a 424

428

14

Diplomatic Edition

M ale uergoigne r[eceuoir] A ton neuo [parl]ai e[rsoir] M olt se conplaint com angoisos S ire quelacordasse auos G elidisce quil sen alast N ule[fois m]ais nememand[ast] Q ar ie alui mais neuendroie Neia auos nenparleroie S irederien nementirez I lniot plus seuos uolez O ciez moi mes ciert atort T ristran senuet porledescort B ien sai queoutre lamerpasse D ist moi que lostel laquitasse N eluol derien nule aquiter N elonguement aluiparler S ire ortai dit leuoir sanz falle se ie tement le chief metalle C esaciez sire sanzdoutance I elifeise laquitance S eieosace volentiers N esol .iiii. besanz entiers N eliuol metre en saumosniere P ortamesnie noueliere P oure sen uet dex le conduie Par grant pechie lidonez fuie Il nira ia encel pais D ex nelisoit veraisamis L irois sout bien quelot uoir dit L es paroles totes oit A colela cent foiz l abeise E lplore ildit quele setese I ames mescrerra mais nul ior P ordit denul losengeor A llent et uuengent alorbuens L iauoirs [tristran ert mes su]ens Et lisu[ens auoirs ert tristrans] N enc[rerra mais corneual]ans O r[dit li rois ala]roine [D ame le felon nain] frocine

432

436

440

444

448

452

456 4b

460

464

468

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

[O ut] anoncie leparlement Et com el pin plus hautement L efist monter por eus uoier A lor asenblement lesoir S ire estiez uos donc elpin O il dameparsaint martin O nques niot parole dite G enoise grant nepetite Q ant ioi atristran retraire l abatalle que lifis faire P itie enoi petit falli Que delarbre ius nechai Et quant ie lioi retraire L emal qenmer liestut traire D elaserpent dont legaristes Et les grans biens que lifeistes Et quant iluos requist quitance D eses gages sioi pesance N eliuosistes aquiter N elundeuos lautre abiter P itie men prist alarbre sus S ouef men ris sinen fis plus S ire cemest molt buen forment orsauez bien certainement M olt auion bele loisor S eil mamait de fole amor A sezen ueistes senblant A inzpar mafoi netant nequant N eueistes quil maprismast N emespreist [ne me baisast] [B ien senble ce] chose certaine [N emamot pas d]amor uilaine S ire [sor ne nos uei]siez Cer tes [ne nos en creusiez] Par deu ie[non lirois respont] B rengain que dex anor te[donst] Por monnneuo ua alostel Et seil dit ou .i. ou el O uniuelle uenir portoi D i ielimnntquil uienge amoi

15

472

476

480

484

488

4c

492

496

500

504

508

16

Diplomatic Edition

B rengain lidit sire il mehet S iest agrant tort dexleset D it parmoi est meslezo uos L amort meueut tot aestros G irai por uos lelaisera B ien tost que ne metochera S irepordeu acordez mi Q uant il sera uenu ici O iez que dit latricheresse M olt fist que bone lecherresse L ores gaboit aesscient Et se plaignoit demaltalent R ois por liuois cedist brengain A cordezmi siferez bien L irois respont gimetraipaine V atost poroc et calamaine Y seut senrist et lirois plus B rengain senist lessauz parlus T ristran estoit alaparoi B ien les oiet parler auroi B rengain aparles bras saisie A cole la deu enmercie ............ D estre o yseut ason plaisir B rengain mist tristran araison S ire laienz ensamaison A [lirois] grant raison tenue D [etoi et de] tachere drue P ar [done ta son mautalent] O rhet ceus que teuont meslant P [roiema] que uienge atoi G eaidit que ire asvers moi F ai grantsenblant [detoi] proier N iuenir miedelegier S elirois fait demoi proiere F ai parsenblant mauuaise chiere T ristran lacole silabeise L iezest que orera son esse A lachanbre painte sen uont L aou lirois et yseut sont

512

516

520

524

4d

528

532

536

540

544

548

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

T ristran esten lachanbre entrez N ies fait lirois auant uenez T on mautalent quite abrengain Et ietepardorrai lemien O ncle chiers sire ormentendez L egirement uos defendez V ers moi qui ce mauez mis sure D ont limien cor eluentre pleure S igrant desroi tel felonie D annez seroie et el honie A inz nupensames dexleset O rsauez bien que ciluos het Qui te fait croire telmeruelle D or en auant meux teconselle N eporte ire alaroine N a moi qui sui deuostre orine Nonferai ie beaus nies parfoi A cordez est tristran auroi L irois liadone congie destre alachanbre esleuos lie T ristran uait alachanbre et uient N ule cure lirois nentient H adex qui puet amor tenir I. an o[u .ii.] sanz descourir C ar amorsnesepuet celer S ouent cline lun uers son per S ouent uienent aparlement Et acele et uoiant gent Par tot nepuent aise atendre M aintparlement lorestuet prendre A lacort auoit .iii. barons ainz ne ueistes plus felons Par soirement sestoient pris Que selirois de sonpais N enfaisot son neuo partir I lnuuoudroient mais soufrir A lor chasteaus sus sentrairoient Et auroi marc gerre feroient Q ar en .i. gardin soz .i. ente V irent lautrier yseut lagente

17

552

556

560

5a

564

568

572

576

580

584

588

18

Diplomatic Edition

O noc tristran entel endroit Que nus hon consentir nedoit Et plusors foiz les ont ueuz E llit roi marc gesir tozn[us] Q arr quant lirois enuet elbois Et ri t stran dit sire genuois P uisseremaint entre enlachanbre I luec grantpiece sont ensenble N os lidiromes nos meismes A lon auro et silidimes O uil nos aint ouil nos hast N os uolon sonnevo en chast T uit ensenble ont ceconsis L iroi marc ont araison mis A unepart ont leroi trait S ire font il malement net [T es] nies sentraiment et iseut S auoir lepuet [quiconques ueut] Et nos nuuolon mais [sofrir] L irois [lentent] fait .i. [sospir] S [onchief abesse u]erslaterre [N eset quil die] sovent erre [R] ois ce dient li troi felon Par foi mais nuconsentiron Q ar bien sauon deuerite Qeuetu consenz lorcruaute Et tusez bien cestemeruelle Q enferas tu orten conselle S etonneuo nostes decort S ique iamais neretort N osnos tenron auos iamez [S] ine uostendron nulepez D enos uoisins feron partir D ecort que nelpoon soufrir O rtaron tost cest geuparti T otetauolente nos di S eignor uos estes mifael s imait dex molt memeruel Que mes nies meuergonde oit quise M ais serui ma destrange guise

592

596

5b 600

604

608

612

616

620

624

628

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

seliez men geluosrequier V osmedeuez bien consellier Que seruise perdre neuuel V os sauez bien naison dorguel S ire ormandez lenain deuin C ertes ilset demaintlatin S iensoit ia liconsel pris M andez lenainpuis soit asis Et il iest molt tost uenuz D ehez ait il conbocuz L iun des barons lenacole L irois limostre sap[arole] [H a or oiez q]el [tr]aison [Et confaite] sed[uction] A dit auroi [ciln]ain frociz D eh[e aient tuit cildeuin ] Qui porpensatelfel[onie] Con fist cist nain quidex ma[udie] D iton neuo qauroi artur acarduel qui est clos demur C ouienge quilalle parmatin I. deus escrit anparchemin P ort aartur toz les galoz B ien seele acire aclox R ois tristran gist deuant ton lit A neuoies enceste nuit S ai queuoudra alui parler P ordeu que deura laaler R ois delachanbreisaprinsome Deute iur et laloi derome S e tristran laime folement A lui uendra aparlement Et siliuient et genul sai S etu nuuoiz simedesfai Et tuit sihome autrement P roue seront sanz soirement R ois ormen laise couenir Et amauolente sortir Et selicole lenuoier D esi qua lore ducochier

19

Con

632 5c 636

640

644

648

652

656

660

664

668 5d

20

Diplomatic Edition

L irois Respont amis cert fait D epartent soi chascun senuait M olt fulinain degrant uoidie moltparfist Rede felonie C il enentra chies .i. pestor iiii. derees prist de flor P uis lalia ason gueron Qui pensast maisteltraison L anuit qantot liroismengie Par lasale furent couchie T ristran ala leroicouchier B eaus nies fait il ieuosrequier M auolente faites geluuel A uroi artus iusqua carduel V os couendra acheuauchier C el brief lifaitesdesploier N ies demapart lesaluer O lui cun ior neseiorner D umesage ot tristranparler A uroi respont deluiporter R ois geirai bien parmatin O uos ainz quelanuit ait fin T ristran fumis engrant esfroi E ntre sonlit et cel auroi A uoit bien leloncdunelance T rop out Trstran fole atenance E nsoncuer dist quil parleret A laroine parleroit A laiorner seil pooit Q ant ses oncles ert endormiz D ex quelpechie trop ert hardiz L inains lanuit enlachanbre ert oiez conment celenuit sert E ntre .ii. liez laflor respant Que lipas allent paraisant S elun alautre lanuit uient L aflor laforme despastient T ristran uit lenain besuchier Et lafarine esparpellier P orpens asoi que cedevoit Q ar siseruir pasne soloit

672

676

680

684

688

692

696 698

(698a) 700

6a 704

708

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

21

Pus dist bien tost acesteplace E spandroit fl[or] por nostretrace 712 V eer selun alautre iroit Qui iroit or quefous feroit B ienuerramais seor iuois 716 Leroi deuant tristran elbois E nlaianbe nafrez estoit D un grant sengler molt sedoloit L aplaie molt auoit saignie 719 (ms. 721–2; scribe’s marginal correction) D esliez ert parson pechie 720 Tristran nedormoit pascequit 721 (ms. 719–20; scribe’s marginal correction) Et lirois liue amienuit 722 F ors delachanbre enest issuz O lui ala linain bocuz 724 De denzlachanbre nout clartez cirge nelanpe alumez T ristran sefu suspiez leuez D ex porqoi fut orescoutez 728 L espiez aioinz esmesisaut E llit leroi chai dehaut S aplaieescriue forment saine L esanc qui ennist lesdrasensaigne 732 L aplaie saigne nelasent Q artrop ason delit entent E nplusors leus lisanc aune L inains defors est alalune 736 B ien uit ioste erent ensenble L idui amant deioieenntrenble 6b Et dist auroi senes puezprendre E nsenble uasi mefai pendre 740 I luec furet litroi felon par qui fuceste traison Porpensee priueement L irois sen vient tristran lentent 744 L iue dulit totesfroiz E rrant senrest molttost salliz A utresallir que tristran fait L isans decent malement uait 748 D ela plaie sor lafarine H a dex qel duel que laroine

22

Diplomatic Edition

N [auo]t lesdras dulit ostez N efust lanuit nus deux puez S eele senfust apensee M olt eust bien sanortensee M olt grant miracle deus iout Qui es garanti siconliplot L iros asachanbre reuient L inain que lachandele tient V ient auoc lui tristran faisoit S enblant conme seildormoit Q aril ronfloit forment dunez S eus enlachanbrefuremes F ors tant que asespiez gegoit P irinis quineses mouoit Et laroine ason lit iut S or laflor chauz lisanc parut L irois choisi ellit lesaut Ver mel enfuret lidrap blanc Et sorlaflor enpert latrace D usanc lirois tristran menace L itroi baron sont enlachanbre T ristran parire ason lit prenent C uelli lorent cil enhaine Por saprooise et laroine L aidisent la moltlamenacent N elairont iustisenenfacent V oient laianbe quilisaine T ropparaci ueraieenseigne P ro uez estes cedist lirois V ostre escondit niuaut .i. pois C ertes tristran demain cequit S oiez certains destre destruit I llicrie sire merci P ordeu quipasion soufri S ire denospitie uosprenge L ifel dient sire [orte] uenge B eaus oncles demoi nemechaut B iensai uenuzsui amon saut N efust por uos acorocier C istplez fust ja uenduz molt chier

752

756

760

764

768

772 6c

776

780

784

788

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

I aporloreulz nelepensasent Que iadelormains mato chasent M ais enuers uos nen aiierien O rtort amal outort abien D emoi ferez uostre plesir Et iesui prest deuos soufrir S irepordeu de laroine A iez pitie tristran lencline Q ar il na home entameson S edisoit cestetraison Que pris euse druerie O laroine par folie N ementrouast en chanp arme S ire merci deli porde L itroi qui alachanbre sont T ristra ont pris et lie lont Et liee ront laroine M olt est torne agrant haine I ase tristran ice seust Que escondire nulleust M ex se lassast uif depecier Que lui nelie soufrist lier Mais endeu tant fortsefiot Que biensauoit et bien quidoit S aes condit peust uenir N us nenosast armes saisir E ncontrelui leuer neprendre B ien sequidoit parchanp defendre P orce neseuout uers leroi M esfairesoi por nuldesroi Q ar sil seust ceque enfut Et ce quiauenir lordut I lles eust tuez toz trois I aneles engardast lirois H adex poqoi neles ocist A mellor plait asez uenist L icriz liue par lacite Qen dui sont ensenble troue Tri stran et laroine iseut Et ue q lirois destruire eusueut

23

792

796

800

804

808 6d

812

816

820

824

828

24

Diplomatic Edition

P leurent ligrant et lipetit S ouent lun deux alautredit 832 A las. tant auon aplorer A hi: tristran tant paresber Q el damage que traison 836 V os ont fait prendre cil gloton H a: roinefranche honoree E n qel terre seras mais nee F ille deroi quiton cors ualle H a: nains cafait tadeuinalle 840 I aneuoie deu enlaface Qui trouera lenain enplace Q inuferra dun glaiue elcors A hi: Tristran sigrant dolors 844 S era deuos beaus chiers amis 7a Q ant ceseroit adestroit mis H a: las quel duel deuostre mort Q ant le morhout prist iaci port 848 Qui cauenoit pornos enfanz Nos barons fist sitos taisanz Que onques not .i. si hardi Qui sen osast armer uers lui 852 V os enpreistes labatalle P or nos trestoz de cornoualle Et oceistes le morhout I luos naura dun iauelot 856 Siredont tudeus morir (ms. 858–857; scribe’s marginal correction) I ane deurion consenter Que uoste cors fustci destruit L ive lanoise et libruit 860 T uit encorent droit aupales L irois fu molt fel et engres N iot baron tant fort nefier Qui ost leroi mot araisnier 864 Qui lipardonast celmes fait O ruient liior lanuit sen vait L irois conmande espines quierte Et vnefosse faire enterre 868 L irois tranchanz demain tenant Par tot fait querre les sarmenz

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II Et assenbler oles espines A ubes et noires oracines I aestoit bien prime deior L ibanz crierent par lenor Que tuit enallent alacort C il quiplus puet plus tost acort A senble sont corneualeis G rant fu lanoise et liribois N ia celui neface duel F ors que linains detintaiol L irois loradit et monstre Qui l ueut fairededenz .i. re A rdoir son neuo et safeme T uit sescrient lagent dureigne R ois trop feriez lai pechie S il nestoient primes iugie P uis lesdestrui sire merci L irois parice respondi Par cel seignor qui fist lemont T otes leschoses quiisont P or estremoi des herite N elairoiene larde enre S eien sui araisnie iamais L aisien men tot esteren pais L efeu conmande aalumer Et son neuo aamener A rdoir leueut premierement O ruont porlui lirois latent L ors lenameinent parles mains Par deu trop firent que uilains T ant ploroit mais riennelimonte F ors lenameinent agrant honte I seut plore parpoi nenrage T ristran fait elequel damage Qua sigrant honte estes liez Qui mo ceist sigarisiez C efust grant ioiebeaus amis E ncor enfust uengement pris O ez seignors de damlede Con ment il est plains depite

25

872

876

7b

880

884

888

892

896

900

904

908

26

Diplomatic Edition

N euieatpas mort depecheor R eceuout lecri leplor Que faisoient lapouregent P or ceus quieirent atorment S orlauoie paront iluont U ne chapele et soz .i. mont O coin dune roche est asise S or mer ert faite deuers bise L aparte que lenclaime chancel F uasise sor .i. moncel O utre nout rien fors lafaloise C il mont estplain de pierre aaise S uns escureus de lui sausist S ifust il mort ianen garist E nladube out une uerrine Que unsainz ifist porperine T ristran ses meneors apele S eignors uez ci une chapele P ordeuqarr milaisiez entrer P res est mestermes definer P reerai deu quil merciait D emoi qarr trop liaiforfait S eignors nia que ceste entree A chascun uoi tenir sespee V ossauez bien nepus issir Par uos men estuet reuertir Et quant je deproie aurai A uos eisinc lors reuendrai OR lalun deus dit asonper B ien lepoon laisier aler L es lians sachent il entre enz T ristran neuait pas conlenz T rieslautel uit alafenestre A soi lentraist asamain destre Par louerturesen saut hors M ex ueut sallir que iases cors S oit ars uoiant tel aunee S eignors .i. grant pierrelee O ut umileu decel rochier Tristran isaut molt delegier

912

7c 916

920

924

928

932

936

940

944

948 7d

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

L iuent lefiert entre lesdras Qui l defent quil nechie atas E ncor claiment corneualan C elepierre le saut tristran L achapele ertplaine depueple tristra saut suslaraineert moble T oz agenoz font enligliglise C il latendent defors liglise M aispor noient tristran sen uet B ele merci dex liafait L ariuiere granz saus senfuit M olt parotbien lefeu quibruit N acorageque ilretort N epuet pluscorrequeil cort M ais oroiezde gouernal espee caintesorcheual D elacite senest issuz B ienset seil fust conseus L irois larsist porson seignor F uiant senuaitporlapoor M olt ot limestre tristranchier Q ant ilsonbrant neuout laisier A ncois leprist laouestoit A uoc lesuen laou estoit T ristran son mestre apercut A huchale bien leconnut Et il iest uenuz ahait Q ant illeuit grant ioie en fait M aistre iamadex fait merci E schapesui et orsuici H alas dolent et moi quichaut Q ant nai yseut rien nemeuaut D olent lesaut que orains fis Que dut ice que nemocis C emepeust estremolt tart E schape sui yseut len tart C ertes por noient eschapai E nlart pormoi porlimorrai D ist Gouernal pordeu beausire con fortez uos nacuelliez ire

27

952

956

960

964

968

972

976

980

984 8a

988

28

Diplomatic Edition

V eezci un espes buison C los afosse tot enuiron S iremeton nos ladedenz Par citrespasse maintes genz A sez orras diseut nouele Et se enlart iamais ancele N encontrez uos seuos brimet N enprenez enpres vengement V os enaurez molt bone aie I apar ihum lefiz marie N egerrai mais de denz maison T res que litroi felon larron Par quoi est destruite yseut sadrue E nauront lamort receue S or estiez beausireocis Que nengement nen fust ainzpris I amais nulior nauroieioie T ristran respont trop uos anoie B eaumestre nai point demespee S ias que ie lai aportee D ist tristran maistre donc est bien O rnecriem forsdeu imais rien E ncorai iesoz magonele T el rien qui uos ert bone et bele I. hauberion fort et legier Qui vos porra auoir mester D ex dist tristran balliez lemoi Par icel deu en qui iecroi M ex uuel estre tot depeciez S eie atens iuien aurez A inz que getee isoit mamie C eus qui latienent nen ocient G ouernal dist nete haster T el chose tepuet dex doner Que teporras molt meus uenger N iauraspastel destorbier Con tu porroies orauoir N iuoi orpoint deton pooir Q arr uers toi est iriez lirois A uoc sont tuit liboriois

992

996

1000

1004

1008

1012

1016

8b

1020

1024

1028

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

29

Et

trestuit cil delacite S orloreulz atoz conmande Que cil qui ainz teporra prendre S il neteprent feralependre C hascun aime mex soi quetoi S elenleuout sortoi lehui T eus te uoudroit bien deliurer N eloseret neis porpenser P lore tritran molt fait grantduel J aportoz ceus detintaiol S enledeust tot depecier Qui l nentenist piece asaper N elaisast il quil nialast S eson mestre ne liueiast E nlachanbre .i. mes acort Qui dist yseut quele neplort Que ses amis est eschapez D eus fait ele enaitbien grez O rnemechaut se ilmocient O uilme lient oudeslient S ilauoit fait lier lirois Par leconmandement as trois Qui liont si les poinzestroiz L isant liest par toz lesdoiz Par deu fait el seiemes ior Q ant lifelon losengeor Qui garder durent mon ami L ont deperdu ladeumerci N emedeuroit lon mesproisier B iensai que linains losengier Et lifelons liplain denuie Par qui consel iere perie E nauront encor lordeserte T orner lorpuise amaleperte S eignor auroi uient lanoule Q es chapez est parlachapele S es nies quiil deuoit ardoir D emautalent endeuint noir D eduel neset conse contienge Par ireroue que yseut uienge

1032

1036

1040

1044

1048

1052

8c 1056

1060

1064

1068

30

Diplomatic Edition

Y seut est delasale issue L anoise liue parlarue Q ant ladame liee uirent A laidor ert molt sesfroierent Qui otleduel quil font porli Com ilcrient adeu merci H a roine franche honoree Q elduel ont mis enlacontree Par qui ceste nouele est sorse Cer tes enasez poi deborse E nporront metre legaain A uoiren puisent mal mehain D menee fu laroine I us que aure ardant despine D inas lisire de dinan Qui ameruelle amoit tristran S e lait choier aupie leroi S ire fait il entent amoi I etaiserui molt longuement S anz uilanie loiaument I anauras home entot cest reigne P oure orfe lin neuielle feme Qui poruostre seneschaucie Que iai eu tote mauie M edonast unebeauueisine S ire merci delaroine V os lauolez sanz iugement A rdoir enfeu cenest pas gent Q ar cest mesfait neconnoist pas D uel ert se tu lesuen cors ars S ire tristran est eschapez L esplains lesbois lespas lesguez S et forment bien et molt est fiers V os estes oncle et il tes nies A uos nemesferoit il mie M ais uos barons enuosballie S il lestrouout nes uilonast En cor en ert taterre engast S ire certes nequier noier Qui auroit sol .i. escuier

1072

1076

1080

1084

1088 8d 1092

1096

1100

1104

1108

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

P ormoi destruit neafeu mis S eiere roi de vii. pais S es memetroit il enbalence A inz que nen fustpriseueniance P ensez que desi franche feme Qui l amena de lohierreigne Que lui nepoist sele estdestruite A inz en aura ancor grant luite R ois rent lamoi parlamerite Que seruitai totemauite L itroi par qui cest oure sort S ont deuenu taisant et sort Q ar bien seuent tristran senuet M olt grant dote ont quil nes aget L irois prist parlamain dinas Par ire aiure saint thomas N elaira nenface iustise Et quant ce fu ne sont lamise D inas lentent molt agrant duel C epoise li ia parson uuel N eniert destruite laroine E npiez se liue ochiere encline R ois iemenuois iusqua dinan Par cel seignor qui fist adan I enelauerroie ardoir P ortot lor neportot lauoir Con ue q s ourent liplus riche home Qui furent des lefruit derome P uis monte eldestrier si sentorne C hiere encline marriz e tmorne I seut fu aufeu amenee D e gent fu tote auironee Qui trestuit braient et tuit crient L es traitors leroimaudient L eue lifile aualleuis E n unbliaut depaile bis E stoit ladame estroit uestue Et un d fil dor menu cosue S icheuel hurtent asespiez D un filet dor lesot trechiez

31

1112

1116

1120

1124 9a

1128

1132

1136

1140

1144

1148

32

Diplomatic Edition

Qui uoit son cors et safachon T rop par auroit lecuer felon Qui nen auroit deliepitie M olt sont libraz estroit lie UN malade out en lancïen parnon fu apele iuein A meruelle parfu desfait A coru fu uoier celplait B ien out alui cent conpaignons O lorpuioz olor bastons A inz neueistes tant silait N esi bocu nesi desfait C hascun tenoit satartarie C rient auroi auoiz serie S ire tuueux faire iustise T afeme ardoir enceste gise G ranz est mes seieainzrien soi C este iustise durrapoi M olt laura tost cilgrant feu arse Et lapoudre cistuenz esparse C est feu charra en cesteprise C esteiustise ert tost remese T el iustise de liferez M ais seuos croire me uolez Et ui q uoudroit mex mort auoir Que le uiuroit et sanz ualoir Et ue q nus nen orroit parler Qui plus neten tenist porber R ois uoudroies lefaire issi L irois lentent sirespondi S etumenseignes cest sanz falle Que leuiue et que neualle G eten saura cesachez bien Et setu ueus sipren dumien O nques nefu dit tel maniere T ant dolerose ne tant fire Qui en sauroit tote lapire S eust pordeu leroi eslire Q ue il neust mamor tot tens I uiains respont siconiepens

1152

1156

9b

1160

1164

1168

1172 1173

(1174, crit. ed.) 1174 (1173) 1175 (1176) 1176 (1175)

1180

1184

1188

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

I etedirai asez briment V eeziai ci conpaignos cent Y seut nos done sert conmune P aior fin damenot mais une S ire ennos a si grant ardor S oz ciel nadame qui .i. jor P eust soufrir nostre conuers L idrap nossont audrap aers O toisoloitestre a honor O uair ogris et obaudor L esbuens uini auoit apris Et grans solaz demarbre bis S eladonez anos meseaus Q ant el uerra nosbas bordeaus Et eslira les couellier Et lestoura anos couchier S ireenleu detes beaus mengiers A ura depieces de qartiers Que len nos enuoia ces hues P orcel seignor qui maint lasus Q ant oruerra lanosre cort A donc uerrez si des confort D onc uoudroit mieus morir queuiure D onc saura bien yseut lagiure Que malement aura oure M eus uoudroit estre arseen .i. re L irois lentent enpiez estut N ede grant pice ne semut B ien enentendi qeu dit iuain C ort ayseut prist lalamain E lecrie sire merci A inz que midoignes art moici L irois lidone et cil laprent D es malades iot bien cent Qui saunent tot entorli Qui ot lebrait qui otlecri A totegenz enprent pitiez Qui qenait duel yuains est liez vait sen yseut yuains lenmeine T otdroit aual parsus laraine

33

1192

9c 1196

1200

1204

1208

1212

1216

1220

1224

1228 9d

34

Diplomatic Edition

D es autres meseaus liconplot N ia celui nait son puiot T ot droit uontuers lenbuschement O uert tristran quiles atent A hauteuoiz Gouernal crie F ilz que feras uesci tamie D eus dist tristran quel auenture A hi: yseut belefigure Con deustes pormoi morir Et jere duiporuos perir T elgent uostienent entremains D ece soient iltozcertains S eil nos laisent enpresent T el iara ferai dolent F iert ledestrier dubuison saut A qant quil puet sescrieen haut I uain asez lauez menee L aisiez latost qua cest espee N euos face lechief uoler I uain saqeut adesfubler E n haut sescrie oraspuioz O r iparra qui ert des noz Qui ces meseaus ueist soffler O ster ch apes et desfubler C hascun licrolle sapotence L iuns menace etlautretence T ristran nen ost rien atochier N eentester nelaidengier G ouernal estuenuz aucri E nsamain tint .i. uert iarri Et fiert yuai n qui yseut tient L isans lichiet aupieliuiet B ien aide atristran sonmestre Y seut saisist parlamain destre L icontor dient que yuain F irent nier qui sont vilain N enseuent mie bien lestoire B erous lameus enson memoire T rop ert tristran preuz et cortois A ocire gent detes lois

1232

1236

1240

1244

1248

1252

1256

1260

1264 10a

1268

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

T ristran senuoit alaroine L asent leplain et lagaudine S enuet tristra et gouernal Y seut ses iot ornesent mal E nlaforest demorrois sont L anuit iuret desor .i. mont O rest tristran si aseur Con silfusten chastel omur E ntristran out molt buen archier M olt sesout bien de larc aidier G ouernal enot .i. toloit A .i. forestier quil tenoit Et .ii. seetes en penes B arbelees otlen menees T ristran prist larc parlebois uait Vit .i. cheurel ancoche et trait E lcoste destre font forment B rait saut en haut et ius decent T ristran lapris atot sen uient S aloge fait aubnt quil tient L esrains trenche fait lafullie Y seut labien espesion chie T ristran sasist olaroine G ouernal sot de lacuisine D eseche busche fait buen feu M olt auoient afaire queu I l nauoient ne lait nesel A celefoiz alor ostel L aroine ert forment lassee P or lapoor quelot passee S omel laprist dormir seuot S orson ami dormir seuot S eignors eisi font lon guement en laforest parfondement L onguement sont encel desert O iez dunain comauroi sert I. consel sot linais duroi N esot que il pargrant desroi L edes couri il fist que beste Q arpuis anprist lirois lateste

35

1272

1276

1280

1284

1288

1292

1296

10b

1300

1304

1308

36

Diplomatic Edition

L inan ert iures li baron I. ior lemistren araison Que cedeuoit que tant parloient I l et lirois et conselloient A celer bien .i. suen consel M olt ma troue toz iors feel B ien uoi que leuolez oir Et iene uuel mafoi mentir M ais iemerrai lestrois deuos D euant le gue auenturos Et iluec a .i. aube espine V ne fosse a sozlaracine M on chief porai dedenzboter Et uos morrez defors parler C e que dirai cert de segroi D ontiesui vers leroi parfoi L ibaron uienent alespine deuant eus uient linais frocine L inains fu cort lateste ot grose D eliurement out fait lafosse Ius qas espaules liout mis O rescoutez seignor marchis E spine auos non auasal M arc a orelles decheual B ien ont oi lenainparler S enuint vn ior apres disner parlout ases barons roi marc E nsamain tint dauborc .i. arc A tant isont uenu litroi A quilinains dist lesecroi A uroi dient priuee ment R ois nos sauon ton celement L irois senrist et dist cemal Que iai orelles decheual M est auenu par cest deuin C ertes iaert fait delui fin T raist lespee lechief enprent M olt enfu bel amainte gent Que haoient lenain frocine P ortristran et porlaroine

1312

1316

1320

1324

1328

1332

10c 1336

1340

1344

1348

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Seignors moltauezbien oi con ment tristran auoit salli T ot conreual parlerochier Et gouernal sor letertrier S enfu issuz quar il cremoit Qui lfust ars semarc letenoit O rsont ensenble enlaforest T ristran de ueneison lespest L onguement sont encel boschage L aoulanuit ont herberiage S isendestornent aumatin E nlermitage frere ogrin V indrent .i. jor parauenture A spre uie meinet etdure T ant sentraiment debone amor L un porlautre nesentdolor L i hermite tristran connut Sorsapotence apoie fu A res nele oiez conment S ire tristran grant soirement A len iure par cornoualle Qui uos rendroit auroi sanz falle C ent mars auroit agerredon En ceste terre nabaron A uroi nelait pleui enmain V os rendre alui omort ousain O grins lidit molt bonement Par foi tristran qui serepent D eu dupechie lifait pardon Par foi et par confession T Ristran lidit sireparfoi Que elemaime enbonefoi V osnentendez pas laraison Q el maime cest parlapoison G enemepus deliepartir B ele demoi nen quier mentir O grins lidist et quel confort P uet ondoner ahome mort A ssez est mort qui longuement G ist enpechie sil nerepent

37

1352

1356

1360

1364

1368 10d 1372

1376

1380

1384

1388

38

Diplomatic Edition

D oner nepuet nul penitance A pecheor souzpenitance L ermite ogrins molt lessarmone durepentirconsel lordone L ihermites souent lordit L esprofecies delescrit Et molt lor amentoit souuent L ermite lordelugement A tristran dist pargrant desroi Que ferastu conselle toi S ire iam yseut ameruelle S ique nendor nene somelle D etot auoit liconselpris M ex aim oli estre mendis Et uiure derbes et deglan Q auoir lereigne auroi otran D elie laisier parler neruis C ertes quar faire ne lepuis I seut aupie lermite plore mainte color mue enpoi dore M olt licrie merci souent S ire pordeu omnipotent I lnemaime pas ne ielui F ors par .i. herbe dont iebui Et ilenbut ce fupechiez P orce nos a lirois chaciez L ihermites tost lirespont D iuacildex qui fist lemont I luos donst uoire repentance Et saciez deuoir sanz dotance C ele nuit iuret chies lermite P oreus esforca molt sauite A umatinet sen part tristrans A ubois setient lez les plains chans L ipain lorfaut ce est grant deus D e cers debichesdecheureus O cist asez parleboscage L aouprenent lorherbergage F ont lorcuisine er lorbeaufeu S ol unenuit sont en un leu

1392

1396

1400

1404 11a

1408

1412

1416

1420

1424

1428

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

S eignors oiez com portristran out fait lirois crier sonban E ncornoualle naparroise O ulanouelenen angoise Que qui porroit tristran trouer Qui l enfeist lecri leuer Q ui ueut oir une auenture con grant chose a anoreture S imescoute .i. sol petitet Par lermorez dun buenbrachet Q ens nerois nout tel berseret I lert isneaus et toz tens prez Q uar il ert beaus isneaus non lez Et siauoit anon husganz L iez estoit enunlandon L ichiens gardoit parledonion Q armis estoit agrant freor Q antil neuoiet sonseignor N euout mengier nepain nepast N enule rien qen lidonast G ui gnout et si feroit dupie D esuiz lermout dex qelpitie F aisoit amainte gent lichiens C hascun disoit sil estoit miens G elmerroie duladon fors Q ar sil enrage ceert deus A hi: husdent iatex brachetz N ert mais troue quitant setprez Ne tel duel face porseignor B este nefude tel amor S alemon dit quedroituriers Que ses amis cert sesleuriers A uos lepoonos prouer V os neuolez derien goster Pus que uostre sire fupris R ois qarr soit fors dulandonmis L irois adit ason corage P or son seignor croit quilenrage Certes molt alichiens grantsens I enequit mais qennostre tens

39

1432

1436

11b

1440

1444

1448

1452

1456

1460

1464

1468

40

Diplomatic Edition

E nlaterre decornoualle A it chevalier qui Tristran ualle D ecornoualle baron troi en ont araisone liroi S ire qar desliez husdant S iuerron bien certainement S eil meine ceste dolor P or lapitie desonseignor Q ariasitost nert desliez Q il nemorde sest enragiez O u autre rien oubeste ougent S aura lalangue ouerte auuent L Irois apele .i. escuier por husdan faire deslier S orbans sor seles puient haut Q ar lichien crient deprinsaut T uit disoient husdenten rage D etot ce nauoit il corage T antost comilfudes liez Pae mie lesrenz cort esuelliez Que onques nidemoraplus D elasale sen ist parlus V int alostel ou il soloit T rouer tristran lirois leuoit Et liautre qui apres uont L ichiens escrie souent gront M olt pardemeine grant dolor E ncontre a deson seignor O nques Tristran nefist .i. pas Q ant il fupris quil dut estre ars Que librachez nenaut apres Et dit chascun deuenir mes H usdant amachanbre est mis O tristran futrait et apris C riant sen uet uers lachapele L ipart fait saut et uoizclarele L ipueple uait apres lechien A inz puis quil fu fors dulien N efina si fu aumoutier F onde enhaut sor lerochier

1472

11c 1476

1480

1484

1488

1492

1496

1500

1504

1508 11d

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

H usdent liblans qui neuoit lenz Par lus enlachapele entre enz S aut sur lautel neuit sonmestre F ors sen issi parlafenestre A ual laro che est aualez E nlaianbe sest esgenez A terre met lenes sicrie A lasilue dubois florie O utristran fistlenbuschement V npetit sarestut husdent F ors sen issi parlebois uet N us neleuoitqui pitie nait A uroi dient licheualier L aison a seurre cest traallier E ntel leu nos porroit mener D nt gries seroit leretorner L aisent lechien tornent arire Husdent aqeut une chariere D elarote molt ses baudist D ucri auchien liboistenti T ristran estoit elbois aual O lareine et gouernal L anoise oient tristran lentent Par foi fait il ieoi husdent T rop se criement sont enesfroi T ristran saut susson arc tendi E nun espoise aual sentraient C rime ont duroi sisen esmaie D ient quiluient olebrachet N edemora cunpetitet L ibrachet qui larote sut Q ant son seignor uit et connut L echief laqueue la que role Qui uoit condeioes semolle D ire puet que ainz neuit telioie A yseut alacrine bloie A cort et pus agouernal T ozfait ioienis aucheual D uchien out tristran grant pitie H adex fait il par quel pechie

41

1512

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1520

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1532

1536

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1544 12a

1548

42

Diplomatic Edition

Nos acist berseret seu Et chien qienbois nesetient mu N amestier ahome hai E lbois somes duroi hai Par plain par bois par toteterre D ame nos fait lirois marc quere S il nostrouout nepooit prendre I lnos feroit ardoir oupendre N osnauon nul mestier dechien U ne chose sachiez uos bien S ehusdens auenos remaint P oor nos fera et duel maint A sez est mex quil soit ocis Que nos soion par son cripris Et poisemen por safran chise Qui il lamort aici quise G rant nature lifaisoit fere maisconment men pus je retraire C ertes cepoisemoi molt fort Que ie lidoie doner mort O rmen aidiez aconsellier D enos garder auon mestier Y seut lidist sire merci L ichiens sabstepnt aucri Que parnature que par us J oi iadire que uns seus A uoit .i. forestier galois P uis que artus enfufait Rois Que ilauoit si afaitie Q ant il auoit son cerf sagnie D e laseete berserece P uis nefuist parceletrace Que lichiens nesuist lesaut P or crier nentornast lefaut N eia natainsisttant sabeste J acriast nefeistmoleste A mis tristran grantioie fust P ormetre peinequi peust F aire hudent lecrilaisier S abeste ataindre et chacier

1552

1556

1560

1564

1568

1572

1576

12b

1580

1584

1588

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

T ristra sestut et escouta P itie lenprist .i. poi pensa P uis dist itant seiepooie H usdent parpaine metre enuoie Que il laisast cri porsilence M olt lauroie agrant reuerence Et ace metraiiemapaine A inz que iepast ceste semaine P eseramoi seie loci Et ie criem molt duchien lecri Q ar ieporroie entel leuestre O uos ou gouernal monmestre S eil criout feroit nos penndre O ruuel peine M etre et entendre A beste prendre sanzcrier O ruoit tristran enbois berser A faitiez fu a .i. dain trait L isans enchiet librachet brait L idains naurez sen fuit le saut H usdent libauz encrie en haut L ibois ducri auchien resone T ristran lefiert grantcop li done L ichien ason seignor sareste L ait lecrier gerpist labeste H aut lesgarde neset quil face N ose crier gerpist latrace T ristran lechien desozluibote O lestortore bat larote Et husdent enreuot crier T ristran laqeut adoutriner A inz que lipremer mois pasast F usi lechiendontez ugast Que sanz crier suiet satrace S ornoif sor herbe nesorglace N ira sabeste ialaschant T antniert isnel neremuant O rlor agrant mestier lichiens ameruelles lor fait grans biens S ilprent elbois cheurel nedais B ienlenbus che cueurederains

43

1592

1596

1600

1604

(1604a)

1608

1612 12c 1616

1620

1624

1628

44

Diplomatic Edition

Et

sil enmi lande lataint il sauient eniprent maint D elerbe gete asez desor A riretorne ason seignor L alemaine ousabesteaprise M olt sont lichien degrantseruise S eignors molt fu elbois tristrans Molt iout paines et ahans E n .i. leu noseremanoir D ont lieueuamain negist ausoir B ien set quelirois lefaitquerre Et ue q libois est ensaterre P orlui pendre quil troueroit M olt sont elbois delpain destroit D echar uiuent elnemenguent Que puent il secolor muent L ordras ronpent rains lesdecirent L ongue ment parmorroisfuirent C h ascun deus soffre paineelgal Q arlunporlautre nesent mal G rant poora yseut lagente T ristran porlie neserepente Et atristran repoise fort Que Yseut a porlui descort Que l repente delafolie I. deces trois que dexmaudie Par qui il furent descovert O iez conmentpar.i. iorsert R icheshom ert et de grantbruit L ichiens amoit parson deduit D ecornoualle dupais D emorrois eretsieschis Qui l niosout .i. sol entrer B ien lor faisoit aredouter Q ar setristran lespeustprendre I lles feist asarbrees pendre B iendeuoient donques laisier I. ior estoit oson destrier G ouernal sol a .i. doitil Qui decendoit dunfontenil Com

1632

1636

1640

1644

12d

1648

1652

1656

1660

1664

1668

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

A ucheual out oste lasele D elerbete paisoit nouele T Ristran gesoit ensafullie estroitement ot enbrachie L aroine porquilestoit M is entel paineentel destroit E ndormi erent ame doi G ouernal ert en .i. esquoi O iles chiens paraventure L ecerf chacentgrantaleure C eret lichien a .i. destrois P or quiconsel estoit lirois M eslez ensenble laroine L ichien chacent licerf rauine G ouernaluit unecharire E nune landeluin arire V it cel uenir queil bienset Que sessires onques plus het T ot solement sanz escuier D es esperons ason destrier A tantdoneque ilestache S ouent elcol fiert osamache L icheuaus ceste soz .i. arbre G ouernal sacoste a .i. arbre E nbuschiez est celui atent Qui tropuient tost et fuiralent N vs retoruer nepuet fortune Nesegaitoit delauenture Que il auoit atristran fait C il qui desoz larbre sestait V it leuenir har di latent D itmeus ueutestremis auuent Que il delui nait laueniance Q arparlui et parsafaIsance D urent il estretuit destruit L ichien licerf siuent quifuit L iuasaus apres leschiens uait G ouernal saut deson agait D umal que cil ot fait limenbre A sespee tot ledes menbre

45

1672

1676

1680

13a 1684

1688

1692

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46

Diplomatic Edition

L ichief enprent atot sen uet L iueneor qui lontparfait S iuoient lecerf esmeu D e lor seignor uirent lebu S anz lateste soz larbre ius Qui plus tost cort cilsen fuit plus B ien quident ceait fait tristran D ont lirois fist faire leban Par cornoualle out atendu L undes trois alechief perdu Qui meslot tristran oleroi P oor enonttuit et esfroi P uis ont enpes lebois laisie N out pus elbois souentchacie D es celore quenbois entroit F upuis chacie chascuns dotoit Que tristran lipreuz lencontrast C rient fu uplain et pus ugast T ristran seiut alafullie C hautens faisoit sifuionchie E ndormiz ert nesauoit mie Que cil eust perdulauie Par qui il dut mort receuoir L iez ert quant ensaura leuoir G ouernal alaloge uient lateste aumort asamain tient A laforche desaramee L acil parles cheueus nouee T ristran ses uelleuit lateste S aut esfreez sorpiez sareste A hauteuoiz crie son mestre N euos mouez seurs puez estre A ceste espee lai ocis S aciez cist ertuostre anemis L iez est tristran decequilot C il est ocis quil plus dotot P oor ont tuit parlacontree laforest est siesfree Que nus niose ester dedenz O ront le bois alor talent

1712

1716 13b 1720

1724

1728

1732

1736

1740

1744

1748

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

L aouil eret encel gaut T roua tristran larc qui nefaut E ntelmaniere elbois lefist R iens ne troue quil noceist S e parlebois uaitcers nedais S eilatouche acesrains O ucil arc est mis et tenduz S ehaut hurte haut estferuz Et seil hurtealarc aubas B as est feruz eneslepas Tri stran pardroit et parraison Q ant ot fait larc limist celnon M olt abuen non larc quinefaut R iens quilenfire bas nehaut Et molt lorout pus grant mestier D emaint grant cerf lorfist mengier M aistrires estdelasauuagine L oraidast en lagaudine Q ar failliz lorestoit lipains N il nosoient issirasplains L onguement fuenteldechaz Mer uelles fu debuenporchaz D euenoison out grant plente S eignor cefu .i. ior deste E nicel tens que len aoste U npoi apres lapentecoste P ar .i. matin alarousee L ioisel chantent lainziornee Tristran delaloge ouil gist C aint sespee tot sol senist L arc qui nefaut uet regarder Par mi lebois ala berser A inz quil uenist fuen tel paine F u ainz maiss gent tanteustpaine M ais lun por lautre nesesent B ien orent loraaisement A inz puis letens que el boisfurent .ii. genz itant detelneburent N esi conme lestoire dit L ouberous leuit escrit

47

1752 13c

1756

1760

1764

1768

1772

1776

1780

1784

13d

1788

48

Diplomatic Edition

N ule gent tant nesentramerent N esi griment nuconpererent L aroine contre lui liue lichauz fugranz qui molt lesgiue T ristran lacole et ildit ce .......... A mis ouauez uos este A pres .i. cerf qui malasse T ant lai chacie quetot menduel S omel mestpris dormirmeuel L alogefu deuers rains faite D eleus enleus ot fuelle atraite Et parterrefubien ionchie Y seut fupremire couchie T ristran secouche et trait sespee E ntre les .ii. chars laposee S achemise out uestue S eele fust icel iornue M eruelles lorfust meschoiet Et ri T tran sesbraies rauoit L aroine auoitensondoi L anel dor des con leroi O esmeraudes planteiz M eruelles fu lirois gentiz A poi que lianeaus nenchiet O ez comil sesontcou chiez D esoz lecol tristran amis S on braz et lautre cemest uis L iout parde desus gete E stroitement lot acole Et il larot deses braz cainte L or amistie nefupas fainte L es bouches furent presasises Et nepor qant siot devises Que nasen bloient pas ensenble V ent necort nefuelle netrenble I. rain decent desor laface Y seut que plus reluist que glace E isi sendorment li amant N epensent mal netant neqant

1792

1796

1800

1804

1808

1812

1816

1820

14a

1824

1828

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

N auoitque eus deus en cel pais Q uar Gouernal cemest auis S en ert alez oledestrier A ual elbois auforestier En ot menelebondestrier O ez seignors quelauenture Tant lordut estrepesme et dure Par lebois uint .i. forestiers Qui auoit troue lorfulliers O uil erent elbois geu T ant aparle fuellier seu Qui l fu uenuz alaramee O utristran out fait saunee V it les dormanzbien lesconnust L isans lifuit esmarriz fut M olt senuet tost quarsedoutoit B iensot setristran sesuellot Que iani metroit autreostage F ors lateste lairoit en gage S eilsenfuit nest pas meruelle D ubois sen ist nestpa meruelle T ristran auoc samie dort par poi quilne recurent mort D iluec endroit ou ildormoient Qui .ii. bones liues estoient L aoulirois tenet sacort L iforestier grant erre acort Q arbien auoit oile ban Que len auoit fait detristran C ilqui auroi endiroit uoir A sez aroit deson auoir L iforestier bienlesauoit P orceacort il atel esploit Et lirois marc en son palais O ses barons tenoit sesplaiz D es barons ertplaine lasale L iforestier dumont auale Et senest entre molt uait tost P ensez que onc arester sost D esi que il uit asdegrez D elasalesusest montez

49

1832 1834

(1834a) 1836

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1856 14b 1860

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50

Diplomatic Edition

L irois leuoit uenir grant erre Son forestier apele enerre S oiz nouelesque sitoz uiens O mesenbles quicort achiens Qui chast sabeste por ataindre V eustuacort denullui plaindre T usenbles home quiaitbesoin Qui camesoit tramis deloin A toi nus honuee son gage S etuueus rien diton mesage O uchacie uos demaforest E scoute moiroi setoiplest Et simes coute .i. sol petit Par cest pais alon banit Qui ton neuo porroit trouer Q ancois sosast laisiercreuer Quil nupreist ou uenist dire G elai troue sencriem uostreire S egel tensein dorras moimort I etemerrai la ouildort Et laroine ensenble olui G elui poie ensenble o lui Fermement erent endormi G rant poor oi qant lalesui L irois lentent boufe et sospire E sfreez est forment saire A uforestier dist et conselle Pri ueement dedenz lorelle E nqel endroit sont il dimoi E n une loge demorroi D orment estroit et enbrachiez V ien tost iaseron deus uengiez R ois sor nenprens aspreuen iance N as droit enterre sanz doutance L irois lidist isten lafors (L aonenfuet souent lescors N etemouoir iluec matent Tant tedorrai or et argent) S ichier conmetuas toncors N edire anul ceque tusez T ant soit estrange nepriuez A lacroiz roge auchemin fors L aon enfuet souent lescors

1872

1876

1880

1884

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1892 14c

1896

1900

1904

(1910–12)

1908

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

N etemouoir iluec matent Tant tedorrai or et argent Con tuuoudras iel afitoi L iforestier separt duroi A lacroiz uient iluec sasiet M ale gote leseulz licriet Qui tant uoloit tristran destruire M eus liuenist son cors conduire Q arpuis morut asi granthonte Con uosorrez auant elconte L irois est enlachanbre entrez A soi manda toz sespriuez Pus lor uoia et defendi Qui l nesoient iasi hardi Qui l attent apreslui plainpas C hascun lidist rois estcegas A aler uos sous nulepart A inz nefurois qui naitregart Q el nouele auezuos oie N euos mouez porditdespie L irois respont nesai nouele M ais mande ma unepucele Que ialle tost alieparler B ien memande nim oigneper G irai tot seus sanz mondestrier N emerrai perneescuier A cestefoiz iraisanz uos I lresponent cepoisenos C hatons conmanda a son filz A eschiuer les leus soutiz I lrespont ie lesai assez L aisiez moi faire auques messez L irois afait saselemetre Sespeecaint souent regrete A lui tot sol lacortoifise Que tristran fist qant illotprise Y seut labele olecler uis O qui senest alefuitis S il lestroue molt lesmenace N elairapas nelormesface

51

1912

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1924 14d

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Diplomatic Edition

M olt est lirois acoragiez D edestruire ces granzpechiez D elacite senestissuz Et dist meus ueutestre penduz Qui l neprenge deceus uen iance Qui liont faittel auilance A lacroizuint oucillatent D ist li quil aut isnelement Et ui q l lemeint ladroite uoie E lbois entrent quimolt onbroie D euant leroi semet lespie L irois lesieut quibien sifie E nlespee que il acainte D ont adonecolee mainte S ifaitil trop quesorquidez Q ar setristran fustesuelliez L inies oloncle semeslast L iuns morust ainz nefinast A uforestier dist liroismars Que llidorroit dargent .xx. mars S elmenoittost ason forfet L iforestier qui uergondeait D ist quepres sont de lor besoigne D ubuen cheual nedegasconigne F ait lespie leroi decendre D elautrepart cort lestrierprendre A labranche dun uert pomier L areigne lient dudestrier P oi uont auant qant ontueu L aloge porquil sont meu L Irois des lace sonmantel dont afin orsontlitasel D esfublez fu molt out gent cors D ufuerretrait lespee fors I riez sentorne souent dit Q or ueut morir silnesocit L es peenue anlaloge entre L eforestier entre souentre G rant erre apres leroi acort L iros licoine quil retort

1952

1956

15a

1960

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1968

1972

1976

1980

1984

1988

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

L irois enhaut lecop leua I re lefait si setres ua I adecendist licop soreus S es oceist cefust grant deus Q ant uit queleauoit sachemise Et Qentre eus deus auoit devise L abouche olautrenert iostee Et qantiluit lanue espee Qui entre eus deus les deseurot V it les braies que tristran out Dex dist lirois cequepuet estre or ai ueu tantdelorestre D ex ienesai quedoiefaire O udelocire ouduretraire C isot el bois bien alonc tens B ienpuis croire seieaisens S eil samasent folement I ani eusent uestement E ntre eus deus neust espee A utrement fust cest asenblee C orage auoie deus ocire N estocherai retrairaimire D efole amor coragenont N enferrai nul endormisont S eparmoi eirent atouchie T rop parferoie grant pechie Et se gesuel cestendormi Et ilmocit ouio ci lui C esera laide reparlance I elor ferai teldemostrance Que ancois que il sesuellont C ertainement sauoir porront Que l furent endormi troue Et qen a eu deus pite Que ienes uuel Noient ocire N emoi negent demon enpire G euoi eldoi alareine L anel opierre esmeraudine O r lidonnai molt parestbuens Et genrai .i. qui refu suens

53

1992

15b 1996

2000

2004

2008

2012

2016

2020

2024

2028 15c

54

Diplomatic Edition

O sterai li lemien dudoi V ns granz deuoirre aiieomoi Que laporta osoi dirlande L irois qui sor laface blanche Qui lifait chaut enuuel courir Et a q nt uendraaudepartir P rendrai lespee dentreeusdeus D ontaumorhot fulechief bbos L I rois ades lie lesganz uit ensenble les .ii. dormanz L erai qui sor yseut de cent C oure des ganzmolt bonement L anel dudoi deforsparut S ouef letraist quil nesemut Pri mes ientrail enuiz O rauoit tant lesdoiz gresliz Qui l sen issi sanz force fere M olt len sot bien lirois fors traire L espee qui entre eus .ii. est S ouef oste lasoue imet D e laloge senissi fors V int audestrier saut sorledos A uforestier dist quilsenfuie S oncors trestort sisenconduie Vet sen lirois dormant leslet acelefoiznia plus fait R eperiez est asacite D eplusorz parz out demande O uaeste et outantfut L irois lorment pas niconnut O uil ala Nequeil quist N edefaisance que ilfist M ais or oiez desendormiz Que lirois out elbois gerpiz A uis estoit alaroine Que le ert en unegrant gaudine D edenz .i. riche pauellon A liuenoient .ii. lion Qui lauoloient deuorer E lloruoloitmercicrier

2032

2036

2040

2044

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2052

2056

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2064 15d

2068

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

M ais lilion destroiz defain C hascun laprenoitparlamain D elesfroi queiseut ena G eta .i. cri sisesuella L egantparedeblanc hermine L isont ch oiet sorlapoitrine T ristran ducri quil ot sesuelle Totelaface auoit uermelle E sfreez sest saut sussespiez L espee prent com homeiriez R egarde elbrant losche neuoit V it lepont dor qui sus estoit Con nut que cest lespee auroi L aroine uit enson doi L anel que li auoit done L esuen reuit dudoi oste E lecria sire merci L irois nos atrouez ici I llirespont dame cest uoirs O rnos couient gerpirmorrois Q ar molt lipar somes mesfait M espeea lasoue melait B ien nos peust auoirocis S ire uorre cemest auis B ele ornia fors dufuir I lnos laissa pornos trair S eus ert siest aleporgent prendre nos quide uoirement D amefuion nos enuers Gales L isanc mefuit tot deuient pales A tant es uos lor es cuier Qui senuenoit oledestrier V it sonseignor pales estoit D emandeli que ilauoit Par foi mestre marc ligentis N os atrouez ci endormis S espeelait lamoieenporte F eloniecriem quil anorte D udoi yseut lanel lebuen E naporte silait lesuen

55

2072

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16a

2100

2104

2108

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Diplomatic Edition

Par cest change poon parcoiure M estre queilnos ueut decoiure Q ar il ert seus sinos troua P oor liprist sisen torna Por gent senest ale arrire D ontil atrop et baude et fire S es amerra destruire uoist Et moi et laroine yseut Voiant lepueplenos ueut prendre faire ardoir et uenterlacendre F uion nauon quedemorer N auet eneus que demorer S ilont poor nenpuent mais L irois seuent fel et engres T orne sensont bone aleure L iroi doutent porlauenture M orrois trespasent sisenuont G rans iornees parpoorfont D roit uers gales sen sont ale M olt les aura amors pene T rois anz plainiers sofrirentpeine L orchar pali et deuint uaine S eignors duuin deqoi ilburent a uez oi porqoi il furent E n si grantpaine lonctens mis M ais nesauez cemest auis A conbien fudeterminez L iloucuendris liuinherbez L amere yseut qui lebolli A .iii. anz damistie lefist P or marc lefist et por safille A utre enprima quisen essille T antcondurerent litroi an O ut liuins sisoupris tristran Et laroine ensenble olui Que chascun disoit los menfui L endemain dela saint iehan aconpli furent li troi an Que cil uin fudeterminez T ristran fudesonlit leuez

2112

2116

2120

2124

2128

2132

16b 2136

2140

2144

2148

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Y seut remest ensafullie T ristran sachiez une doitie A uncerf trait quilout uise Par lesflans laoutre brise F uit sen licerf tristran laqeut Que soirs fuplains tant leporseut L aouil cort apres labeste L ore reuient et ilsareste Qui lot beu lelouendrant A lui seus senpres serepent H a: dex fait il tant aitraual .iii. anz ahui queriens nifal O nques ne mefallipus paine N eafoirienen sorsemaine O ublie ai cheualerie A seure cort et baronie G esui essillie dupais T ot mest falli et uair et gris N esui acort acheualiers D ex tant mamast mesoncles chiers S etant nefuse alui mesfez H adex: tant foiblement meuet O R deuse estre acort aroi et cent danzeaus auoques moi Qui seruisent por armes prendre Et amoi lorseruise rendre A ler deuse enautresterres S oudoier et soudees querres Et poisemoi delaroine Qui jedoins loge por cortine E nboisest et sepeuse estre En beles chanbres oson estre P ortendues dedras desoie P ormoi aprise maleuoie A deu qui est sire dumont C rige merci que il medonst I tel corage que ie lais A mon oncle safeme enpais A deu uoie que iel feroie M olt uolentiers seiepooie

57

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2168 16c 2172

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58

Diplomatic Edition

S ique yseut fust acordee O leroi marc quest esposer L as siqel uirent maint richeome A ufuer qendit laloi derome T Ristran sapuie sorson arc souent regrete leroi marc S ononclequi afait tel tort S afeme mise atel descort T ristran ausoir sedementot O iez diseut conli estoit S ouent disoit lasse dolente P orqoi eustesuos iouente E nbois estes comautre serue P etit trouez qui ciuos serue I esui roine mais lenon E n aiperdu parmapoison Que nos beumes enlamer C efut brengain quidut garder L asse simale garde enfist E lnenpout maisqariai troppris L es damoiseles des anors L esfilles asfrans uauasors D euse ensenbleomoi tenir E n meschanbres pormoi seruir Et les deuse marier Et asseignors por bien doner A mis tristran engrant error N os mist qui leboiure damor N os aporta ensenble aboiure M ex nenos pout ilpasdecoiure T ristran lidist Roine gente E nmal uson nostre iouente B ele amie sejepeuse Par consel que je en euse F aire auroi marc acordemet Qui lpardonnast son mautalent Et ui q l preist nostre escondit Con ue q s nul ior nen fait nen dit N oi ouos point dedruerie Qui litornast auilanie

2192

2196

2200

2204 16d

2208

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2228

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

N acheualier enson Roiaume N e delidan tres queendureaume S iluoloit dire que amor E use ouos pordes honor N emen trouast en chanp arme Et sil auait enuolente Q ant nos auriez deresnie Qui l me soufrist desa mesnie G elseruiroie agrant honor C onmemononcle et monseignor N auroit soudoier ensaterre Qui mieus lesoufrist desagerre Et sil estoit ason plesir V os aprendre et moi degerpir Qui lneust soin demon seruise G emeniroie auroi defrise O umenpasseroie enbretaigne O gouernal sanz plus conpaigne T oine franche ouque iesoie vostre toz iorz meclameroie N euosise ladepartie S estre peust laconpaignie N efust bele lagrant soufrance Que uos soufrez et auez faite T ozdis pormoi pardesertine P ormoi perdez non deroine E strepeuses aanor E ntes chanbres otonseignor N e fust dame liuins herbez Qui alamer nos fudonnez Y seut franche gente facon Con sellemoi que nos feron S ire ihum soit graciez Q ant degerpir uolez pechiez A mis menbreuos delermite O grin qui delaloi escrite N osprecha et tantnos dist Q ant tornastes asonabit Qui est el chief deson boschage B eaus amisdouz seia corage

59

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2240

2244

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2252

2256

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60

Diplomatic Edition

vos ert nenuz derepentir O R nepeust mex auenir S ire corons alui ariere D e cesui tote fianciere C onsel nos doroit honorable Par qoi laioie pardurable P orron ancore bien uenir T ristran lentent fist .i. soupir Et dist Roine deparage T ornon arire alermitage E ncorenuit oulematin O leconsel demaistre ogrin M anderon anostre talent Par bries sanz autre mandement A mis tristran molt dites bien A uriche roi celestien P uison anduicrier merci Qui l aitdenos tristran ami A rrire tornent elboschage T ant ont erre qualermitage V indrent ensenble liamant L ermite ogrin trouent lisant Q ant il les uit bel les apele A ssis sesont enlachapele G ent dechacie acon grant paine A mors parforce uos demeine C on bien dura uostre folie T rop auez mene cesteuie Et ue q les qar uos repentez T ristran lidist orescoutez S ilonguement lauonmenee I tel fu nostre destinee .iii. anz abien sique nifalle O nques nenos falli traualle S orpoions consel trouer D elaroine recordeR I eneqerrai iaplus nulior es tre oleroi marc aseignor A inz menirai ancois .i. mois E nbretaigne ouen orlenois

2272

17b 2276

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2304

2308 17c

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

61

Et

semes oncles ueutsoufrir M oi asacort porluiseruir G elseruirai si com iedoi S iremon oncleest richeroi ............ L emellor consel nos donnez P ordeu sire dece quoez Et nos feron uosuolentez Seignors oiezdelaroine aspiez lermite chiet encline D eluiproier nesesaint point Qui llesacort auroi seplaint Q aria corage defolie N enaurai ia iordemauie G enedipas auostre entente Que detristran iormerepente Que ienelaim debone amor Et com amis sanz des anor D elacomune de mon cors Et ie dusuen somes tuit fors L ermites lotparler siplore D ecequeli ot deu enaoure H adex beaus rois omnipotent G races parmon buen cuer uos rent Qui uiuretant mauez laisiez Que ces .ii. genz delorpechiez A moi enuindrent conselprendre G ranz grez uosenpuiseierendre G eiur macreance et maloi B uen consel auerez demoi T ristran entent moi .i. petit C ies uenuz amon habit Et uos roine amaparole E ntendez ne soiez pasfole Qant home et feme font pechie S anz ce sont pris et sont quitie Et saus uienent apenitance Et aient bonerepentance D eus lorpardone lormesfait T ant neseroit orible et lait

2312

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2332

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2344 17d 2348

62

Diplomatic Edition

T ristran roine orescoutez I. petitet simentendez P or honte oster et mal courir D oit on .i. poi parbel mentir Q ant uos consel mauez requis G eluos dorrai sanztermemis E nparchemin prendrai .i. brief S aluz auraelpremier chief A lancïen letrametez L eroi parbien salu mandez En bois estez olaroine M ais sil uoloit delui saisine Et ar p donast son mautalent V os feriezporlui itant Vos eniriez asacort N iauroit fort sagenelort S ilueut dire que uilanie E usiezprise druerie S iuos face lirois marc pendre S euos neuos poezdefendre T Ristran porce tos bien loer Que ianitroueras tonper Qui gage doinst en contre toi I cest consel tedoin parfoi C enepuet ilmetre endescort Q ant il uos uout liuer amort Et enfeu ardoirpar lenain C ortois leuirent et uilain I llneuoloit escouter plait Q ant deus uos auoit merci fait Que diluec fustes eschapez S icom il est oi assez Que senefust ladeu uigor D estruit fusiez ades honor T elsaut feistes quil nahome D ecostentin entresqua rome S e illeuoit nen ait hisdor I luec fuistes parpoor V os rescosistes laroine S auez este pus engaudine

2352

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2368

2372

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2380 18a

2384

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

D esaterre pus lamenastes Par mariage lidonastes T ot ce fu fait illeset bien N ocie fu alencïen M aluos estoit lie afallir O lieuosistes meus fuir S ilueut prendre uostre escondit S iqel uerront grant et petit V os lioffrez asacort faire Et se lui uenoit auiaire Q ant vos serez delui loiaus A uloement deuos uasaus Pre ist safeme lacortoise Et sesauez que lui nenpoise O lui serez sessoudoiers S eruirez lemolt uolentiers Et sil neueut uostre seruise V os passerez lamer depise I roiz seruir .i. autreroi T eus ertlibrief et ie lotroi T ant ait plus sire ogrin V ostre merci el parchemin Que ienemos en moi fier D emoi afait .i. ban crier M ais ie liprie comaseignor Que ie molt aim parboneamor I. autre brief reface faire S iface escrire tot sonplaire A lacroiz Roge ami latende P ende lebrief sileconmande N eliosmander ouiesui G ecriem quil nemeface ennui G ecrerai bien queielaurai L ebriefqant quil uoudraferai M aistre mon brief set seele En laqueue escriroiz nale A ceste foiz ienesai plus O grins lermite lieue sus P ene et enque et parchemin prist T otes cesparoles imist

63

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18b

2416

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64

Diplomatic Edition

Q ant il out fait prist .i. anel L apierre passot elseel S eele est tristran litent I llerecut molt bonement Qui lportera dist lihermites G elporterai tristran nudites C ertes sire siferai bien B ien sai lestre delancïen B eausire ogrin uostre merci L aroine remaindra ci Et aneuois entens oscur Q ant lirois dormira seur G emonterai sormon destrier O moi merrai monescuier D efors lauile a .i. pendant L adecendrai sirai auant M oncheual gardera monmestre M ellorneuit ne lais neprestre Q anuit apres solel couchier Q ant litens prist aespoisier T ristran sentorne auoc sonmestre B ien sot tot lepais et lestre A lancïen alacite E nsont uenutant ont erre I ldecent ius entre enlauile L es gaites cornent ameruelle Par lefosse dedenz auale Et uint errant tresque enz enlasale M olt parest mis tristran enfort A la fenestre oulirois dort En est uenu souef lapele N auoit son decrier harele L irois ses uelle et dit apres Qui es qui atel eure ues A stu besoin dimoi ton non S ire tristran mapele lon I. brief aport silmet ci ius E lfenestrier decest enclus L onguement nos auos parler L ebrief uos lais nos plus ester

2432

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18c 2452

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

TRistran sentorne lirois saut par trois foiz lapela enh aut P ordeu beaus nies ton oncle atent L irois lebrief asamain prent T ristran senuet plus niremaint D esoi conduire nesefaint V ient asonmestre qui latent E ldestrier saut legierement G ouernal dist folqaresploites A lon nosen lesdestoletes T ant ont erre parleboschage Q auior uindretalermitage E nz sont entreogris prioit A uroi celestreqant queilpooit T ristran defende denconbrier Et gouernal son escuier Q ant eIl leuit esleuos lie S oncriator agracie D iseut nestuet pas demander S ele out poor deus encontrer A inz pus lisoirquil enissirent T res qualermite et eus lesuirent N out les eulz essuiez delermes M olt parlisenbla lonscistermes Q ant eIleuituenir lorprie . . . Que ilifist nefu paspole A mis dimoi sedeus tanort F ustu donc pus alaroicort T ristran loratot reconte Con ment ilfualacite Et con ment oleroiparla C omentlirois lerapela Et dubrief queilagerpi Et con lirois troua lescrit Dex dist ogrins graces terent T ristran sachiez asezbriment O rez noueles duromenz T ristran decent met iussonent O rseiornent alermitage L irois esuelle son barnage

65

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2484 18d 2488

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66

Diplomatic Edition

Pri mes manda lechapelain L ebrief lirent quaenlamain C il fraint lacire et lut lebrief L iroi choisi elpremier chief A qui tristrann mandoit saluz L esmoz atost toz conneuz A uroi adit lemandement L irois lescoute bonement A grant meruellesen esiot Q ar safeme forment amot L I Rois es uelle ses barons les plusproisiez mandeparnons Et qant ilfurent tuituenu L irois parla il sont teu S eignors .i. brief mest ci tramis R oissui soruos uos mimarchis L ibries soit liez et soitoiz Et qant lit furet liescrit Con selliez men ieluosrequier V osmen deuez bien consellier Dinas senest leue premierz dist asespers seignors oiez S oroiez que nedie bien N emen creez denulerien Qui meus sauradire sidie F acent lebien lest lafolie L ibrief nosest ici tramis N os nesauon deqel pais Soit liz libries premierement Et us p solonc leman dement Qui buen consel saura doner S elnos doinst buen nelquirceler Qui sondroit seignormesconselle N epuet faire greignor meruelle A uroi dient corneualois d inas adit trop que cortois D an chapelain lisiez lebrief O iant nostoz dechief enchief L euez sen est lichapelains L ebrief des lie ases .ii. mains

2512

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2520 19a

2524

2528

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2540

2544

2548

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

E npiez estut deuant leroi O R escoutez entendez moi T ristran linies nostreseignor S aluz mande prime et amor A uroi et atot son barnage R ois tusez bien lemariage D elafille leroi dirlande Par mer enfui iusque enhorlande Par maproece la conquis L egrant serpent creste ocis Par qoi elemefu donee A menai la entacontree R ois tu lapris amollier S ique uirent ticheualier N eus gaires oli este Q ant los entra enton [barne] reigne T efirent acroire menconge Gesui tot prest que gage endonge Qui liuoudroit [gage doner] b lasme lener L ie alegier contre monper B eausire apie ouacheual C hascuns ait armes et cheual Q ionques amor nen out uersmoi N eieuers lui parnul desroi S eie ne lenpuis alegier Et entacort moi deraisnier A dont me fai deuant ton ost N ia baron que ieten ost N iabaron pormoi laisier N eme face ardre ouiugier V ossauez bien beaus oncles sire V os uosistes ardoir enire M ais adeu enprist gnt pitie S en aorames damlede L aroine paraventure E nes chapa cefudroiture S edex mesaut qar agranttort L iuoliez doner lamort G enn eschapai sifis .i. saut Con treual .i. rochier molt haut

67

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2556

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2568 2569 (2569a)

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68

Diplomatic Edition

L orsfu donnee Laroine A smalades endecepline G elenportai silitoli P uis ai toztens oli fui N elideuoie pas fallir Q ant atort dutpormoimorir P uis ai este olie par bos Que ienestoiepas tant os Que iemosase aplain mostrer ............ A prendre nos et auos rendre F eisieznos ardoir oupendre P orce nos estouoit fuir M ais fort estoit uostre plesir A prendre yseut olecleruis N auroit baron encest pais P lus uos seruist que ieferoie S ebuen nos met enautreuoie Que neuuelliez lemien seruise G emen irai auroi defrise I amais noras demoi parler P asserai men outre lamer D ece qoiez roi pren consel N epuis mes soufrir tel trepel O uiemacorderai atoi O ugenmerrai lafille auroi E nirlande ouie lapris R oine ert de sonpais L ichapelains a auroi dit S ire naplus encest escrit L ibaron oient lademande Q est por lafille auroi dirlande O ffre tristran uerseus batalle N ia baron decor noualle N edie rois tafeme pren O nques cil norent nul iorsen Qui cedistrent delaroine D ont laparole est cioie N ete sai pas consel doner T ristran Remaigne decamer

2592

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2612

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2624 19d 2628

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

A uricheroi auten gauoie A qui liroiz cornoz gerroie S iseporra la contenir Et tant porrez deluioir V os manderez por lui quil uienge N esauon elquel uoie tienge M andez parbrief alaroine V os ameint ciabrief termine L irois son chapelain apele S oit fait cist brif O mainient Isnele O i auezque imetroiz H astez lebief molt suidestroiz M olt a neui yseut legente T rop amal trait ensaiouente Et a q nt librief ert seelez A lacroiz Rogelependez A ncorenuit isoit penduz E scriuez i parmoi saluz Q ant lot lichapelainescrit A lacroiz Roge lependit T Ristran nedormi pas lanuit a inz que uenist lamienuit L ablanche lande out trauersee L achartre porte seelee B ien sout lestraitdecornoalle V ient aogrin illaliballe L ihermite lachartre aprise L ut lesletres uit lafranchise D uroi qui pardonne a yseut S on mautalent et queil ueut R epenra la tant bonement V it leterme dacordement I aparlera sicomil doit Et con lirois qui adeu croit T Ristran quelioie test creue T aparole est tost entendue Que lirois laroine prent L oe liont tote sagent M ais neliosent pasloer T oi retenir asoudeier

69

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(2640a)

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70

Diplomatic Edition

M ais uaseruir enautreterre .I. roi aqui on fait gerre .I. an oudeus selirois ueut R euien alui et ayseut D ui entierz ior sanznuldecoiure E st lirois prest delie recoiure D euant legue auenturos E st liplez mis deuos et deus L a lirendroiz iluec ertprise C ist bries noientplus nedeuise D ex dist tristra quel departie Molt est dolenz quipert samie F aire lestuet por lai souferte Que uos auez por moi fors trete N auez mestier deplus soufrir Q ant ceuendra audepartir G euos dorrai madruerie V os moi lauostre bele amie I aneserai encele terre Que iametienge pais negerre Que mesage ne uos enuoi B ele amie remandez moi D etot entot uostre plesir I seut parla agrant sospir T Ristran entent .i. petitet Husdent melesse ton brachet A inz berseret aueneor N ert gardee atel honor Con cist sera beaus douz amis Q ant gel uerrai cemert auis M enberramoi deuos souent I anaurai silecuer dolent S eie le uoi nesoielie A inz puis que laloi fuiugie N efu beste siherbergie N e en siriche lit couchie A mis tristran iai .i. anel I. Iaspe uert et .i. seel B eausire por lamor demoi P ortez lanel enuostre doi

2672

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2684

2688

2692

20b 2696

2700

2704

2708

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

71

Et

siluos uient sire acorage Que memandez rien parmesage T ant uos dirai cesaciez bien C ertes ienencroiroie rien S ecest anel sire neuoi M ais pordefense denulroi S euoi lanel nelairai mie O usoit sauoirousoit folie N eface con que il dira Qui cest anel maportera P orce quil soit anostre anor I euos pramet par fineamor A mis dorrez meuos teldon H usdant lebaut parlelandon Et il respont lamoieamie H usdent uos doins pardruerie S ire cest la uostre merci Q ant dubrachet mauez seisi T enez lanel degerredon D esondoi loste met uson T ristran enbese laroine Et ele lui parlasaisine L I hermites enuet aumont porles richeces qui lasont A pres achate uer er gris D Ras desoie et porpre bis E scarlates et blans chailil A ses plus blanc que flordelil Et palefroi souef anblant B ien atornez dor flanboiant O grins lermite tant achate Et tant acroit et tant barate P ailes uairs et gris et hermine Que richement uest laroine Par cornoualle fait huchier L irois sacorde asamollier D euant legue auenturos I ert pris acordement denos O i auez partot lafame N iremest cheualier nedame

2712

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Diplomatic Edition

Qui neuienge acel asenblee L aroine ont molt desirree A mee estoit detote gent F ors desfelons que deus crauent T uit quatre telsoudees L idui enfurent mort despees L itierz dune seete ocis A duel morurent elpais L iforestier quiesencusa M ort cruele nen refusa Q ar perinis lifranc liblois L ocistpuis dun gibet elbois D eus les uenga detoz ces .iiii. Qui uout lefier orguel abatre S eignors auior duparlement fu lirois marc omolt grant gent L a out tendu maintpauellon Et mainte tente debaron L oin out porpris lapraerie T ristran cheuauche osamie T ristran cheuauche et uoit lemerc Souz son bliaut et soz son hauberc Q r grant poor auoit desoi P orce quil out mesfait auroi C hoisi lestentes parlapree Conut liroi et lasenblee I seut apele bonement D ame uos retenez hudent Pri uos pordeu que legardez S onques lamastes dont lamez V ez laleroi uostre seignor O luilihome de sonor Nos neporroit mais longuement A ler nos deus aparlement I euoi uenir ces chevaliers Et l-eroi et ses soudoiers D ame qui uienent contrenos P ordeu leriche glorios S eieuos mant aucunechose H astiuement ouagrant pose

2752

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2764 20d

2768

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

D ame faites mes uolentez A mis tristran ormes coutez Par cestefoi queieuos doi S e cel anel deuostre doi N emen uoiez sique iel uoie R ienquil deist gene croiroie M ais des que ie reuerrailanel N etor nemur nefortchastel N emetendra neface tost L emandement demon amant S olonc menor et loiaute Et iesace soit uostre gre D ame fait il deus gre reface Ver ssoi latrait des brazlenbrace Y seut parla quinert pas fole A mis entent amaparole O R me fai donc bien aentendre T ume conduiz simeueuz rendre A uroi parleconsel ogrin L ermite qui ait bonefin P ordeu uospri beausdouz amis Que nepartez decestpais T ant qos saciez conment lirois S erauers moi iriez oulois G elprie qui sui tachiere drue Q ant lirois mauraretenue Que chies orri leforestier T alles lanuit laherbergier P ormoi seiorner netenuit Nos i geumes maintenuit E nnostre lit que nosfist faire Li trois qui ert demoleste M al troueront enlaparfin L icors gisent elbois souin B eauchiers amis et genaidote E nfer oure qui les tranglote G es dot qar il sont molt felon E lbuen celier sozle boron S eras entrez limiens amis M anderaitoi parperinis

73

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Diplomatic Edition

L es noueles delaroi cort L imiens amis que dex tenort N etennuit pas la herbergier S ouent uerrez mon mesagier M anderai toi deci mon estre Par mon uaslet et aton mestre N onfera il machiere amie Qui uos reprouera folie G art soi demoi et danemi S iredist yseut grant merci O R sui ie molt boneuree A grant fin mauez asenee T ant sont ale et cil uenu Quil sentredient lorsalu L irois uenoit molt fierement L etrait dun arc deuant sagent O lui dinas quidedinan Par lareigne tenoit tristran L aroine qui conduisoit L asalua si comil doit R ois geterent yseut lagente H on nefist mais ps Riche rente C iuoi les homes detaterre Et oiant eus teuuel requerre Que mesueffres aesligier Et entacort moi deraisnier Con ue q s olienoi druerie N eele omoi iordemauie A croire talen fait menconge M ais sedeus ioie et bien medonge O nques nefirent iugement Con batre apieouautrement D e denz tacort segeten sueffre S esui dannez simart ensoffre Et seiemenpus faire saus Qui l niait cheuelu nechaus S imeretien ovocques toi omenirai enloenoi L I Rois ason neuo parole A ndrez qui funez de nicole

2832

21b 2836

2840

2844

2848

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2868 21c

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

L iadit Rois qar leretiens P lus enseras doutez et criens M olt enfautpoique nelotroie L ecuer forment lenasouploie A unepart lirois letrait L aroine ouoc dinaslet Qui molt parert uairs et ioiaus Et danorfaire conmunaus O laroine geue et gabe D ucol liaoste lach ape Qui ert descarlate molt riche E leout uestu unetunique D esus .i. grant bliaut desoie D eson mantel que uosdiroie A inzlermite quilachata L eriche fuer neregreta R iche ert larobe et gent lecors L es eulz out uers lescheueus sors L isenes chaus olie senuoise A strois barons forment enpoise M al aient il trop sont engres I asetrairont duroi plus pres S irefont il anos entent Con sel tedoron bonement L aroine aesteblasmee Et foi hors detacontree S e atacort resont ensenble I adiralen siconnos senble Que en consent lor felonie P oi iaura qui cenedie L aidetacort partirtristran Et a q nt uendra iusqua .i. an Que tuseras aseurez Que yseut te tienge loiautez M ande tristran quil uienge atoi C eteloons parbone foi L irois respont quequenus die D euos consel nistrai iemie A riere en uienent libaron P orleroi content saraison

75

2872

2876

2880

2884

2888

2892

2896

2900

2904 21d

2908

76

Diplomatic Edition

Q ant tristran oit niaporloigne Que lirois ueut quilsen esloigne D elaroine congieprent L un lautre esgarde bonement L aroine fucoloree Ver goigne auoit porlasenblee T ristran sen part cemest auis D ex tant cuer fist leiorpensis L irois demande outornera Q ant quiluoudratotlidorra M oltparlia abandon mis O R et argent et uair et gris T ristran dist rois de cornoualle I anenprendrai mie maalle A qant quepuis uois agrant ioie A uroi riche quelengerroie M olt out tristran Riche conuoi desbarons et demarc leroi V ers lamer uet tristran sauoie Y seut oleseuz le conuoie T ant con delui ot laueue D e laplace neseremue T ristran senuet retorne sont C il qui pose conuoie lont D inas encor leconuoiout S ouent lebesse et liproiot S eurement reuienge alui E ntrafie sesont ildui D inas entent .i. poi amoi D eci menpart bien sez porqoi S eie temant pargouernal A ucunechosebesoignal A uance la sicontudoiz B aisie sesont plus de .vii. foiz D inas liprie ianeldot D ie son buen il fera tot D it molt abele deseuree M ais sor uos foi aseuree L aretendra ensenble osoi N on feroit certes porleroi

2912

2916

2920

2924

2928

2932

2936

22a

2940

2944

2948

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

I luec tristran delui sentorne A udepartir andui sont morne D inas senuient apres leroi Qui latendoit a .i. chaumoi O Re cheuauchent libaron V ers lacite tot abandon T ote lagent ist delauile Et furent plusde .iiii. mile Quo mes que femes que enfanz Que poryseut que portristranz Mer uellose ioie menoient L isaint parlacite sonoient Q ant il oient tristram senuet N ia .i. sol grant duel nefet D iseut grant ioie demenoient D elui seruir molt sepenoient Q ar cesaciez ainzniot rue N efust depaile pertendue C il qui nout paile mist cortine Par la oualoit laroine E st laruemolt bien ionchie T ot contremont parlachaucie S iuont au mostier saint sanson L aroine et tuit sibaron E nsont trestuit ensenble ale E uesque clerc moine et abe E ncontre lie sont tuit issu D aubes dechapes reuestu Et laroineest decendue D une porpre inde fuuestue L euesque laparlamain prise S ila dedenz lemostier mise T otdroit lameinent alautel D inas li preuzquimoltfuber L iaporta .i. garnement Qui bien ualoit .c. mars dargent I. riche pailefait dorfrois O nques nout tel neqens nerois Et laroine yseut lapris Et ar p buen cuer sorlautel mis

77

2952

2956

2960

2964

2968

2972

22b 2976

2980

2984

2988

78

Diplomatic Edition

U nechasuble enfu faite Qui ia dutresor niert horstraite S e as grans festes anues non E ncore est ele asaint sanson C edient cil qui lont ueue A tant est dumostier issue L irois liprince et licontor L enmenent el palais haucor G rant ioie iont leior menee O nques porte nifu uee Qui uout entrer sipout mengier O nc anul nifist ondangier M olt lont liroi tuit honoree A inz leior que fu esposee N enfist hom sigrant honor Con lon liafait icel ior L eior franchi lirois .c. sers Et donna armes et haubers Et xx. danzeaus quil adouba O R oiez que tristran fera T Ristran senpart fait asarente lez lechemin les .i. sente T ant aerre uoie et sentier Qua laherberge auforestier E nest uenu celeement Par lentree premierement L emist orri elbel celier T ot litroue qant qot mestier O Ris estoit meruellesfrans S englers lehes prenet opans En ses hais granscers et biches D ains et cheureus ilnertpas C hiches . Molt endonet ases serianz D tristran ert laseiornanz Priueement enson terrin Par perinis lifranc meschin S oit tristran noues desamie O iez des .iii. que dex maudie Qui otristran auoit alez Par eus fumolt lirois malez

2992

2996

3000

3004

3008 22c 3012

3016

3020

3024

3028

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

N etaria pas .i. mois entier Que lirois marc ala chacier Et auoc lui litraitor O R escoutez que fontcelior E nune lande aune part O nrent ars liui lain essart L irois sestut elbruelleiz D eses buens chiens oilescris L asont uenu litroi baron Qui leroi mistrent araison R ois orentent nostre parole S elaroine aeste fole E lnen fist onques escondit S aui lanie uos est dit Et eneuoies lenrequier priveement A ton conchier Et libaron detonpais T enout p armaintefoiz requis Qui luuelent bien son escondire Que on tristran not sadruerie E scondire sedoit conment S ilenfai faire iugement S elenesenueut escondire L ailen aler detonenpire L IRois rogi quiescouta pardeu seignors cort not molt a N e finastes de lie reter D etel chose loi ci reter Que bien peust remaindre atant D ites seuos alez qerrant Que laroine auten irlande C hascun deuos que lide mande N offri tristran li adefendre A inz nen osastes armesprendre Par uos est il hors dupais O rmauez uos dutot sorpris L ui aichacie orchaz mafeme C ent de hez ait parmie lacane Qui meroua de lui partir Par saint estiene lemartir

79

3032

3036

3040

22d

3044 3045 (3051, crit. ed.) 3046 (3052, crit. ed.) 3047 3048 3049 3050 3051 3052 3053 3054 3055 3056

3060

3064

3068

80

Diplomatic Edition

V os mesorquerez cemepoise Que l meruelle que lensitaise S il semesfait et il estfort N auet cure demon deport O nos nepuis plus auoirpes P ar saint tresmor decahares I euos ferai .i. geu parti A inz neuerroiz passe marsdi H ui est lundi silenerrez L irois lesa siesfreez Qui l nia el fors prengent fuie L irois marc dist deus uos destruie Qui si alez querant mahonte P ornoient certes neuos monte G eferai lebarbonuenir Que uos auiez fait fuir Q ant iluoient leroi marri E nlalande soz .i. larri S ontdecendu tuit troi apie L irois lessent elchanp irie E ntre eus dient queporron faire L irois marc est trop deputaire B ien tost mandera son neueu I ani tendra nefei neueu S il ca reuient denos estfins I aenforest neenchemin N etrouera nus denostrois L esanc nen traie ducors frois D ison leroi or aura pes N enparleron alui iames EN mie lessart lirois sestot vitson neuo tost les destot D elorparole names cure L aloi quil tient dedeu eniure T ot souauet entre sesdenz M arfu iostez cist parlemenz S il eustor laforce osoi L afusent pris cedittuit troi S ire font il entendez nos M arriz estes et corocos

3072

3076

23a

3080

3084

3088

3092

3096

3100

3104

3108

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

P orceque nos dison tanor L endeuroit pardroit son seignor C onsentir tu nossez malgre M al aitqant qua sozsonbaudre I amar otoi senmarrira C ilquitehet cil sen ira M ais nos qui somes tifeel T edonions loial consel Q ant nenos croiz faitonplaisir A ssez nos en orras taisir C est mal talent nos pardonne L irois es coute mot nesone S orsonarcon sest acoutez N esest uers eus noient tornez S eignors molt aencorpetit Que uos oistes les condit Que mesnies fist demamollier N euosistes escu ballier Que rant alez aterre pie L ameslee desoruosuie O R gerpisiez tote materre Par saint andre quelenuet querre O utre lamer iusque enescoce M is men auez elcuer laboce Qui nenistra iusqua .i. an G en aiporuos chacietristran D euant lui uienent lifelon G odoïnë et guenelon Et dan alain que fu molt feus L itroi ont aresnie entreus M ais niporent plaiencontrer V et sen lirois sanz plus ester C il senpartent duroiparmal F orz chasteaus ont bienclosdepal S oiant sorroche sor haut pui A lorseignor feront ennui S elachose nest amendee L irois napas fait longe estee N atendi chien neueneor A tintaiol deuant sator

81

3112 23b 3116

3120

3124

3128

3132

3136

3140

3144

23c

3148

82

Diplomatic Edition

E st decendudedenzsen entre Nus neset ne neuoit son estre E s chanbres entre caint espee Y seut sest contre luileuee E n contreuient sespee aprise Pus est aspiez leroi asise Pri st la lamain silen leua L aroine lienclina A mont leregarde asachiere M olt lauit et cruel et fiere A percutsoi quil ert marriz V enuz sen est aeschariz L asse fait ele mes amis E st trouez messires lapris S ouef lidit entre sesdenz L isanz deli Nefu siloinz Qui l neliset monte eluis L icuer eluentre lifroidis D euant leroi choien uerse P asmesoi sacolor aperse Q entreses braz len aleuee B esiela et acolee P ensa que mal leust ferue Q ant depasmer fureuenue M achiere amieque auez S ire poor neuos tamez Q ant elelot silaseure S acoloruient seaseure A donc lirest asouagie M olt bel aleroi aresnie S ire geuoi ata color F ait tont marri tiueneor N etedoiz ia marrir dechace L irois lentent rist silenbrace E lia fait lirois amie I ai trois felons dancesorie Qui heent mon amendement M ais seencornes endes ment Que nes enchaz fors dematerre L ifel necriement mais magerre

3152

3156

3160

3164

3168

3172

3176

3180

23d 3184

3188

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

I lmont asez adesentu Et ielorai trop consentu N iamais rien des couertir Par lorparler parlor mentir A imon neuo demoi chacie N ai mais cure delor marchie P roch ainement sen reuendra D es trois felons meuengera Par lui seront encor pendu L aroine la entendu I aparlast haut mais elenose E lfusage si serepose Et dist dex iafait uertuz Q ant messires sest irascuz V ers ceus par qui blasme ert leue D eupriquil soient uergonde S ouef ledit quenus nelot L abele yseut quiparlersot Totsinplement adit auroi S ire quel mal ont dit demoi C hascun puet dire cequilpense F ors uos genai nuledefense P orceuont il querant mon mal D e deu lepere esperital A ient il male maudicon T antes foiz mont mis enfrichon D ame fait lirois ormentent P arti sensont parmautalent T rois demesplus proisiez barons S ireporqoi parquel raisons B lasmer tefont sirepor quoi G eltedirai dit liLiroi N asfait de trisran escondit S eielenfaz et il mont dit Qui l lemont dit: geprest ensui Q ant leferas ancor ancui Brif terme imet asez est loncs S irepordeu et porsesnons E ntent amoi sime conselle Que puet ce estre quel meruelle

83

3192

3196

3200

3204

3208

3212

3216 24a 3220

3224

3228

84

Diplomatic Edition

Qui l neme lesent apres eure S edamledeu mon corsseceure E scondit mais nelorferai F ors .i. queie deuiserai S elor faisoie soirement S ire atacort uoiant tagent Ius qua tierz iur merediroient Q autre escondit auoir uoudroient R ois nai encest paisparent Qui porlemien destraigne ment E nfeist gerre nereuel M ais de ce meseret molt bel D elor rebeche naimescure S eiluuelent auoir maiure O useil uolent loi deiude I anen uoudront loideiuice M etent leterme que neface A termeaurai enmie laplace L iroi artus et samesnie S edeuant luisui alegie Qui meuoudroit apres sordire C il me uoudroient escondire Qui auront ueu maderaisne V ers .i. cornot ouuers .i. saisne P orcemest bel quecil isoient Et monde res ne alor eulz uoient S eenplace est artus lirois G auuains sesnies liplus cortois G irflez et qeuliseneschaus T ex .c. ena lirois uasaus N enmentiront por rienquil oient P orles seurdiz seconbatroient R ois porce est biensdeuant eusset F aiz lideraisnedemon droit L icornot sont reherceor D epluseurs eure tricheor E sgarde .i. termesilormande Que tuueus alablanchelande T uit isoient et poure et riche Qui nisera tres bien tafiche

3232

3236

3240

3244

3248

3252 24b

3256

3260

3264

3268

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Que lortoudras lorherite S ire seras deus aquite Et lemien cors est toz seurs D es que uerra lirois artus M on mesage quil uendraca S on corage saidespica L irois respont bien auezdit A tant est litermes baniz A xv. iorz par lepais L irois lemande a .iii. nais Que parmal sont parti decort M olt ensont lie aquiquil tort O R seuent tuit parlacontree leterme asis delasenblee Et ue q laert lirois artus Et desames nie leplus O luiuendront desamesnie Y seut nesert mie atargie Par perinis manda tristran T ote lapaine et tot lahan Que laporlui ouan eue O rlensoit l abonte rendue M etre lapuet silueut enpes D ili que il set bien marches A uchief desplanches aumalpas I esolle ia .i. poi mesdras S orlamote elchief de laplanche I. poi de calalande blanche S oit reuestuzde dras deladre .I. henap port osoi demadre .I. botele ait de desoz O coroie atachieparnoz A lautre main tienge .i. puiot S i aprenge deteltripot A uterme ert sorlamote assis I lset assez bociez sonuis P ort le henap deuant son uis A ceus qui iluec passeront D emant laumosne sinplement I lli dorront or et argent

85

3272

3276

3280

3284

24c

3288

3292

3296

3300

3304

3308

86

Diplomatic Edition

G art moi largent tant que leuoie Priueement en chanbre coie D istperinis dame par foi B ien lidirai silesecroi Per inispart delaroine E lbois parmie .i. gaudine E ntretot sos parleboisuet A lauesprer uient aurecet O u tristran ert el bel celier L eue estoient dumengier L iez fu tristran desauenue B ien sout nouelesdesadrue L iaporte liuaslet frans I ldui setienent parlesmains S or .i. sige haut sont monte Per inis liatot conte L emesage de laroine T ristran uers terre .i. poiencline Et iure qant quepuet ataindre M ar lont pensenepuet remaindre I lenperdront encor lestestes Et asforches pendront asfestes D ilaroine mot amot G irai auterme pas nen dot F acesoi lie saine et baude I anaurai mais bain deuechaude T ant qua mespee aieueniance D eceus qui liont faitpesance I l sont traitre felproue D ili que tot aibien troue A sauuer soi dusoirement I elauerrai assez briment V asilidi que neses mait N edot pas queie nalle auplet A tapine conmetafurs B ien meuerra lirois artus S oier auchief sorlemalpas M ais ilneme connoistra pas S aumosne aurai selenpus traire A laroine puez retraire

3312

3316

3320

24d

3324

3328

3332

3336

3340

3344

3348

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

C e quetai dit elsozterrin Que fist fere sibelperrin D emoi liporte plus saluz Qui l na sor moi boces menuz B ienlidirai dist perinis L ors sest parles degrez fors mis G enuois auroi artus beausire C emesage miestuet dire Qui l uienge oir lesoirement E nsenble olui cheualiers cent Qui puis garant liporteroient S e life lon derien greignoient A ladame deloiaute D onc nest cebien or ua ade E lchaceor monte et sentorne Toz les degrezenpiez aorne N aura mais pais alesperon S iert uenu acuer lion M olt out cil poines porseruir M olt lendeuroit meus auenir T ant aenquis duroi nouele Que lenliadit bone et bele Que lirois ert aisnel done C eleuoie qui lasadone V ez liuaslez yseut labele A un pastor qui chalemele A demande ouest lirois S ire fait il ilsit audois I auerroiz latable reonde Qui tornoie conme lemonde S amesnie sit enuiron D ist perinis ia en iron L iuaslet auperron decent M aintenant sen entra dedanz M olt iauoit filzacontors Et filz ariches uauasorS Qui seruoient porarmes tuit I. deus senpart consil senfuit I luint auroi et illapele V adont uiens tu japort nouele

87

3352

3356

25a

3360

3364

3368

3372

3376

3380

3384

3388

88

Diplomatic Edition

L adefors a .i. cheuauchant A grant besoin teuaquerant A tant estes uos pirinis E sgardez fu demaint marchis D euant leroiuint alestage O usoient tuit libarnage L iuaslet dit tot aseur D eus saut faitil leroi artus L ui et tote sa conpaignie D eparlabele yseut samie L I rois selieue sus destables et deus fait il esperitables L asaut et gart et toiamis D eusâ fait lirois tant arequis D elie auoir .i. solmesage V aslet uolez cest mien barnage O troi ali qant que requiers T oi tiers seras fet cheualiers P or lemesage alaplus bele Qui soit de ci ius qentudele S ire fait il uostre merci O iez porqoi suiuenuci Et sientendent cilbaron Et messires Gauvain parnon L aroine sest acordee osonseignor nia celee S ire la ouil sacorderent T uit libaron dureigneierent T ristran soffri aesligier Et laroine aderaisnier D euant leroi del oiaute A inz nus detele loiaute N euout armes saisir neprendre S ireorfont leroi marc entendre Q ue ilprenge delie deraisne I lna frans hon francier nesesne A laroi cort deson linage G eoi dire que souef nage C ilqui on sostient lementon R ois senos ja decementon

3392

25b 3396

3400

3404

3408

3412

3416

3420

3424

3428 25c

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

S imetenez alosengier L irois napas corage entier S enpres est ci et senpres la L abele yseut respondula Que eleenfera droit deuant uos Deuant legue auenturos Vos requier et merciuos crie Con me lauostre chiere amie Que uos soiez auterme mis C ent iaiez deuos amis V ostre cort soit atan loial V ostre mesnie natural D edeuant uos iert alegiee Et dex lagart quenimeschiee Que pus liseriez garant N enfaudriez netant neqant D e hui en .viii. iors est prisletermes P lorer lenfont ogroses lermes N ia .i. sol qui depitie N en ait des euil leuis mollie D ex fait chascun que lidemandent L irois fait ce que il conmandent T ristran senuet fors dupais I aneuoist il sanzparadis S elirois ueut quillarara Et ui ar q p droit nelaidera G aũ . sest leue enpiez Par la et dist conme afaitiz O ncle seiai detoi lotrise L aderes ne qui est assise T orra amal astrois felons L iplus couerz est plus felons G elconnois bien sifaitil moi G elboutai ia a .i. fangai A .i. bohort fort et plenier S egelretien parsaint richier N iestoura tristran uenir S egelpooie aspoins tenir G eliferoie asezennui Et luipendre a .i. hautpui

89

3432

3436

3440

3444

3448

3452

3456

3460

3464 25d

3468

90

Diplomatic Edition

G erflet senlieueenpres Gauuain Et sisenuindret main amain R ois molt par heent laroïne D enaalain et godoïne Et Guenelon molt alonctens I anemetiengedex ensens S euois encontregoudoïne S edemagrant lance fresnine N epasentoutre licoutel I annenbraz soz lemantel B ele dame desoz cortine P erinis lot lechief licline Et dit euains lifilz dinan A sez connais dinaalan T ot sonsens met en acuser B ienset faire leroi muser T ant lidirai queilmecroie S eie lencontre enmimauoie C onjefis ja .i. autrefoiz I anementienge lois nefois S ilnesepuet demoi defendre S ames .ii. mains nelefais pendre M olt doit on felon chastier D e roiioiant silosengier Dist perinis auroi artur Sire iesui detant seur Que lifelon prendront colee Qui laroine ont quis meslee A inz ata cort notmenacie H ome denul luintain Reigne Que nen aiez bien trait achief A upartir enremestrent grief T uit cilqui lourent deserui L irois fuliez .i. poi rougi S ire uaslez alez mangier C ist penseront deluiuengier L irois ensoncuer out grantioie Par labien uout perinis loie M esnie franche et honoree G ardez qen contre lasenblee

3472

3476

3480

3484

3488

3492

3496

26a

3500

3504

3508

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

S oient uostre cheualtuit gras V ostre escunuef Riche uos dras B ohorderons deuant labele D ont uos oiez tuit lanouele M olt porra poi samieamer Qui sefaindra darmes porter L irois les ottrestoz semons L eterme heent qui est silonc L oruuel fust il alendemain O iez dufranc debonemain Per inis lecongie demande L iroismonta sorpasselande Q ar conuoierueut lemeschin C ontant uont parmie lechemin T uit liconte sont delabele Qui l metra lance par astele A inz queparte deparlomenz L irois offre lesgarnemenz Per inis destre cheualier M aisilnes uout encor ballier L irois conuoie senble lipoi P orlabele franche auchiefbloi O uilnapoint demautalent M olt enparloient analent L iuaslez out riche conuoi D es cheualies et dufranc Roi A grant enuizsont departiz L irois leclaime beausamis A lez uosen nedemorez V ostre dame mesaluez D esondemoine soudoier Qui uient ali por apaier T otes ferai ses uolentez P orlieserai des alentez E l meporra molt auancier M enbre li de les pie lancier Qui fu en lestache feru E lesaura bien oucefu Pri e uos quelidiez einsi R ois siferai geluosafi

91

3512

3516

3520

3524

3528

3532

26b 3536

3540

3544

3548

92

Diplomatic Edition

A donc hurta lechaceor L irois serest mis elretor C il senuientsonmesage afait Per inis quitant mal atrait P orleseruise alaroine Con meplus puet et il chemine O nques .i. ior nesejorna T ant quil uint ladon iltorna R econte asacheuauchie A celui qui molt enfulie D uroi artur et detristran C elenuit furent alidan C elenuit fu lalune dime Que diroie literme aprime D esoi alegier laroine T ristran lisuens amis nefine V estusefu demainte guise I lfu enlegne sanz chemise D elet burel furent lescotes Et aqarreaus Furent ses botes U nechape deburel lee O ut fait tallier toteenfumee A ffublez sefu forment bien M aladesenble plus que rien Pri st son henap et son puiot L econgieprist delui silot Et nequeden siot sespee E ntor ses flanz estroit noee T ristran senpart ist delostal C eleement agouernal Qui lienseigne et silidit S ire tristran nesoiez bric P renez garde delaroine Que l nenfera senblant et signe M aistre faitil siferai ie G ardez que uos faciez monbuen G emecriem molt dapercheuance Pre nezmon escu et malance S elmaportez et mon cheual E nreignez mestre gouernal

3552

3556

3560

3564

3568 26c 3572

(3607, crit. ed.) (3608, crit. ed.) 3576

3580

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3588

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

S emestier mest que uosaiez A upasage prez enbuschiez Vos sauez bien lebuenpassage P ieca que uos enestes sage L icheual estblans conmeflor C ourez lebien trestot entor Que il nesoit mes conneuz N edeuiel home aperceuz L aert artus atot sagent Et lirois marc tot ensement C il cheualier destrange terre B ohorderont por los aquerre Et por lamor yseut mamie I ferai tost .i. esbaudie S us lalance soit lepenon D ont labele mefist ledon M estre oralezpriuos forment Que lefaciez moltsauuement G ouernal uint ason ostel S onhernois prist ainznefistel P uis sisemist tost alauoie I lna cure que nus leuoie T ant aerre quebuschiezsest P res detristran qui aupas est S orlamote auchief delamare S asist tristran sanz autreafaire D euantsoi fiche sonbordon A tachiefu a .i. cordon A quei lauet pendu aucol E ntorlui sont litaiermol Sor la mote forment se tret N esenblapas home contret Q ar il ertgros et corporuz I lnertpasnains contrezbocuz L arote entent lasest asis M oltot bien bocele son uis Q ant aucun passe deuant lui E n plaignant disoit marifui Ianequi dai estre aumosnier N eseruir iordecest mestier

93

3592

3596

3600

26d 3604 3608

3612

3616

3620

3624

3628

94

Diplomatic Edition

M aisnenpoon ormais elfaire T ristran lorfait desborses trere Que ilfait tant chascun lidone I llesrecoit que nus nensone T ex a este .vii. anz. mignon N eset sibien traire guignon M eismes licorlain apie Et ligarcon liplus prsie Qui uont man gant parlechemin T ristran quitient lechief enclin L or aumosnepordeu lorquiert L un lendone lautre lefiert L icuuert gras lidesfae M ignon herlotlont apele E scoute tristran motnesone Por deu cedit lelorpardone L icorbel qui sont plain derage L ifont ennui et il est sage T ruant leclaiment et herlot I lles conuoie olepuiot P lus de .xiii. en fait saignier S iquil nepuent estanchier L ifranc uasletdefranc orine Fer lin oumaalle esterline L iont done illes recoit I llor dit que il atoz boit S igrant arson aenson cors A poine lenpuet geter fors T uit cil qui loient aparler D epitie prenent aplorer N etant neqant pasnumescroient Qui lnesoit ladres cil quil uoient P ensent uas let et escuier Qui lsehast denus alegier Et destres tendre lorseignors P auellons demaintes colors N iariche home nait satente A plain erre chemin et sente L icheualier uienent apres M olt agrant presse encel marches

3632

3636

27a

3640

3644

3648

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3660

3664

3668

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

E ffondre lont mos est lifans L icheual entrent iusqasflans M aint enichiet qui quesentraie T ristran sen ist point neses maie Par con traire lor dit atoz T enez uos reignes parlesnoz S ihurtez bien delesperon Par deu ferez delesperon Qui lna auantpoint detaier Q ant ilpensent estre essaier L imarois font desozlorpiez Chascun qui entreest entaiez Qui l nahueses senasoffrete L iladres asamain fors traite Q ant enuoit .i. quieltai uoitre A donc flauelecil acuite Q ant illeuoitplusenfangoi L iladres dit pensez demoi Que deus get fors dumalpas A idiez anoueler mesdras O sabotele elhenapfiert E nestrange leu les requiert M ais illefait par lecherie Q ant oruerra parler samie Y seut quia lacrine bloie Que ele auoit enson cuer ioie M olt agrant noise en celmalpas L ipasseor sollent lordras D eluien puet lom oir leshuz D eceus qui solle lapaluz C Ilqui lespasse nest seuez a tant es uos leroi artus E sgarder uient lepasseor O lui desesbarons plusor C riement quelimarois nefonde T uit cildelatable reonde Furent uenusor lemalpas O escus fres ocheuaus cras D elor armes entreseignie T uit sont couert et mens que pie

95

3672

27b 3676

3680

3684

3688

3692

3696

3700

3704

3708 27c

96

Diplomatic Edition

M aint drap desoie iot leue B ohordant uont deuant lege T Ristran connoisoit bien leroi artus silapela osoi S ire artus rois iesuimalades B ociez meseaus desfaiz et fades P oure est monpere nout ainz terre C asui uenuz laumosne querre M olt aioi detoi bien dire T unemedoiz pas escondire T ues uestu debeaus grisens D erenebors siconiepens D e soz letoile rentiene L atoue char en blanche et plaine T esianbes uoi derichespaile C haucies et ouerte maile Et lessorchauz duneescarlate R ois artus uoiz coniemegrate I ai les granzfroiz quiqueait leschauz P ordeu medonne cessorchauz L inoblesrois auoit pitie D ui damois ellont deschaucie L imalades lessorchauzprent O totsenuet isnelement A sisseserest sorlamuterne L iladresnus deceus nesperne Qui deuant lui sont trespasse F ait dras ena agrant plente Et lessorchauz artus leroi T ristran sasist sorlemaroi Q ant ilsefu iluec assis L irois marc fiers et posteis C heuaucha fortuers letaier T ristran laqeut aessaier S ilporra rien auoir dusuen S onflauel sone ahaut suen A sauoiz roe crie apaine O lenes fait subler lalaine P ordeu roimarc .i. poidebien S aumuce trait silidit tien

3712

3716

3720

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3728

3732

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3740

3744 27d

3748

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

F remet la iasus tonchief M aintesfoiz talitens fait gief S irefait iluostremerci O rmauez uos defroitgari D esoz lachape amis laumuce Q ant quil puet latrestorne et muce D omestu ladres fait lirois D ecarloon filz dungalois Q anz anz as este fors degent S ire .iii. anz .i. arrement T ant coniefui ensaine uie M olt auoiecortoise amie Por lie ai ieces boces lees C es tartaries plain dolees M efait et nuit et ior soner Et olanoise estoner T ozceus qui iedemant dulor P oramordeu lecriator L irois lidit necelez mie Con ment cetedonna tamie D ans rois sessiresert meseaus O lie faisoie mes ioiaus C ist maus meprist delacomune M ais plus belenefuque une Qui est ele labele yseut E insi seuest conceleseut L irois lentent riant senpart L irois artus delautrepart E nest uenuz quibohordot I oios sefist que plus nepout Artus enquist delaroine E luient fait marc parlagaudine D anroi eleuient orendroit D elie conduire sentremet D ist lun alautrenesaipas Con ment isse decest malpas O Reston ci siprenon garde L itroi felon qui malfeu arde V indrent augue sidemanderent A umalade paront passerent

97

3752

3756

3760

3764

3768

3772

3776

28a

3780

3784

3788

98

Diplomatic Edition

C il quimains furent entaie T ristran ason puiot drecie Et lorenseigne .i. grant molanc V ezla celtorbe apres cel fanc L aest lidroiz asseneors G iai ueu passerplusors L Ifelon entrent enlafange la ouliladres lorenseigne F angetrouerent ameruelle D esiqas leues delaselle T uittroi chient a une flote L imalade fusus lamote S ilorcria poigniez afort S euosestes deteltai ort A lezseignor parsaint apostre S imedone chascun duuostre L icheual fondet eltaier C il seprenent aesmaier Q arnetrouent Riuenefonz C il quibohordent sorlemont S ont acoru isnelement O iez duladre com ilment S eignors fait il aces barons T enez uos bien auos archons M al aitcil fans quisiest mos O stez ces manteaus deuoscous S i bra coiez parmie letai I euos dibien quetresbiensai G iai huiueu gent passer Qui dont ueist henap casser Q ant liladres lehenaploche O lacoroie fiert laboche Et olautre desmains flauele A tant esuos yseut labele E ltaier uit ses ainemis S orlamote sist ses amis I oie enagrant rit et enuoise A piedecentsor lafaloise Delautrepart furent liroi Et libaron quil ont osoi

3792

3796

3800

3804

3808

3812

28b 3816

3820

3824

3828

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Qui esgardent ceus dutaier T orner sorcoste et uentrellier Et limalades les argue S eigneurs laroine est uenue Por fere son aresnement A lez oircel iugement P oi enia ioienen ait O iez delladre dudesfait D onolen met araison P rentalamain amonbaston T ire a .ii. poinz molt durement Et cil litent totmaintenant L ibaston lilet tottegrez A riere chiet totest plungiez N enuit onfors lepoil rebors Et qant ilfu dutaitraitfors F ait limalades nen poi mes I ai endormi iointes et ners L esmains gourdes por lemaldagres L espiez enflez porlepoacres L imaus aenpiriez maforce S essontmibraz com .i. escorce DInas estoit olaroine apercut soi deluiel licline B ien sout tristran ertsoz lachape L es trois felons uit enlatrape M olt lifubel et molt liplot D ece quil sont enlait tripot A grantmartire et adolor S ont issu liencuseor D utaier defors acertain I aneseront mais net sanzbain V oiant le pueple sedespollent L idras laisent autresracuellent M ais oroiez dufranc dinas Q ui fu delautrepart dupas L aroine met araison D ame fait il cel siglaton E stera ia forment laidiz C ist garez est plain derouiz

99

3832

3836

3840

3844

3848 28c 3852

3856

3860

3864

3868

100

Diplomatic Edition

M arriz ensui forment menpoise S e auos dras poienadoise Y seut rist quinertpas coarde D eluel liguigne siles garde L epenser sout alaroine I. poi auallez . une espine T orne a.i.gue . lie et andrez O utrepasserent auques nez D elautrepart fu yseut sole D euant le gue fugrant lafole D es .ii. rois et delorbarnage O iez dyseut comelfusage B ien sauoit que cil lesgardoient Qui outrelemalpas estoient E le est aupalefroiuenue P rent les langues delasanbue S es noua desus les arcons Nus escuiers nenus garcons P orletaier mex nes leuast N eiame nesaparelast L e lorain boutesoz lasele L apointure oste yseut labele A upalefroi oste sonfrain S arobetient en .i. main E nlautre lacorgietint A ugue olepalefroi uint D elacorgie laferu Et ilpasseoutre lapalu L aroine out molt grant esgart deceus qui sont delautrepart L iroiprisie sen esbahirent Et tuit liautre quileuirent L aroine out desoie dras A porte furent debaudas F orre furent deblanc hermine M antel bliaut tot litraine S or ses espaules sont sicrin B ende aligne sororfin I. cercle dor out sor sonchief Qui empare dechief enchief

3872

3876

3880

3884 28d

3888

3892

3896

3900

3904

3908

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

C olorrosine fresche et blanche E insisadrece uers laplanche G euuel auoir atoi afere R oinefranche debonere A toi irai sanzescondire M ais ienesai que tuueusdire N euuel mes dras enpaluer A sne seras demoiporter T otsouauet par soz laplanche A uoi fait il Roinefranche N emerequerezpas telplet G esui ladres bocu desfait C uite fait ele .i. poi tarenge Q uides tuqueton malmeprenge N en aies doute nonfera A dex faitil ceque sera A lui parler point nemennoie O lepuiot souent sapoie D iua malades molt esgros T orlaton uis et caton dos G emonterai conme uaslet Et lors sensorrist lidegret T orne ledos et elemonte T uit les gardent et roi et conte S escuises tient sozson puiot L unpie sorlieue et lautre clot S ouent fait senblant de choier G rant chiere fait desoi doloir Y seut labele cheuaucha I anbe deca ianbe dela D ist lun alautre ores garde .......... V ez laroine cheuauchier I. malade quifet clochier P res quil nechiet desoz laplanche S onpuiot tient desoz sahanche A lon encontre celmesel A lissuede cest gacel L acorurent lidamoisel ..........

101

3912

3916

29a

3920

3924

3928

3932

3936

3940

3944

3948

102

Diplomatic Edition

L irois artus celepart torne Et liautre trestot aorne L iladres ot enclin leuis D e lautrepart uint elpais Y seut selait escolorgier L iladres prent areperier A udepartir liredemande L abele yseut anuit uiande A rtus dist bien la deserui H a roine donez lali Y seut labele dist auroi Par cele foi que ieuosdoi F rorz tru anz est asez ena N emangera hui ce quila S oz sachape senti saguige R ois saloier nest paspetite L espains demies et les entiers Et lespieces et les qartiers A ibien parmie lesac sentu V iande a siestbien uestu D euos sorchauz silles ueutuendre P uet il .v. soz dester lins prendre Et delaumuce monseignor A chat bien lit sisoit pastor O u .i. asne quiport letai I lest herlot sique Iel sai H ui asui bonepasture T roue agent asamesure D emoi nenportera quiualle I. sol ferlinc neune maalle G rant ioieenmenent lidui roi A mene out son palefroi M ontee lont diluec tornerent Qui ont armes lors behorderent T ristran senuet duparlement vient ason mestre quilatent D eus chevaus riches de castele O t amene ofrain osele Et .ii. lances et .ii. escuz M olt les outbien desconneuz

3952

3956 29b

3960

3964

3968

3972

3976

3980

3984

3988

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

D es cheualiers que uos diroie D une guinple blanche desoie O ut gouernal sorsonchief mise N enpert que luel ennule guise A rire sentorne le pas M olt par ont bel cheual et cras T ristran Rot lebel ioeor N epuet onpas trouer mellor C oste silie destrier et targe O ut couert dunenoiretarge S onuis out couert dun noir uoil T ot ait couert et chief et poil Que salance ot lenseigne mise Que labele liot tramise C hascun monte sorson destrier C hascun out caint lebrant dacier E insi arme sor lor cheuaus Par .i. uert pre entre .ii. uaus S ordent sus enlablanche lande Gauuains linies artus demande G erflet uez en la .ii. uenir Qui molt uienent degrant air N es connois pas sestu quilsont G esconnois bien Girflet Respont N oir cheual a et noire enseigne C e est linoirs delamontaigne L autre connois as armes noires Q ar encestpais nen agaires I lsot fae gelsaisanz dote I cil uindret fors de larote L es escus pres lances leuees L es enseignes aufers fermees T ant bel portent lorgarnement Con me sil fusent ne dedenz D es .ii. parolent assez plus L iroismarc et lirois artus Qui lnefont de lor .ii. conpaignes Qui sont lais eslarges plaignes E srens perent lidui souent E sgarde sont demaintegent

29c

103

3992

3996

4000

4004

4008

4012

4016

4020

4024

29d 4028

104

Diplomatic Edition

Par mie langarde ensenble poignent M ais netrouent aqui il Ioignet I aroine bien les connut A unepart durenc sestut E le et brengain et andrez uint S or son destrier ses armes tint L ance leuee lescupris A tristran saut en mie leuis N uconnoisoit denule rien Et ri t stran le connoisoit bien F iert len les cu enmie lauoie L abat et lebraz lipecoie D euant lespiez alaroine C il iut sanz leuersusles chine G ouernal uit leforestier V enir destre sor .i. destrier Qui uout tristran liueramort E nsaforest oudormoit fort G ran aleure alui sadrece I aert demort engrant destrece L efertrenchant limist elcors O lacier bote lecuir fors C il chaimort siconques prestre N iuint atens nenipot estre Y seut qui ert et franche et sinple S enrist doucement soz saginple G erflet et cinglor et iuain T olas et coris et uauuain V irent laidier lorconpaignos S eignors fait Gaugains queferons L iforestier gist labae S aciez que cil dui sont fae N etant neqant nesconnoison O rnos tienent ilpor bricons B Rochons aeus Silesprenons Qui es nosporra fait lirois prendre M olt nos aura serui agre T ristran setrait aual auge Et gouernal outre passerent L iautre sirre nes oserent

4032

4036

4040

4044

4048

4052

4056

4060 30a 4064

4068

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

E npais remestrent tuit estroit B ien penserent fantos me soi A sherberges uuelent torner Q ar laisie out lebohorder A Rtus laroinedestroie Molt lisenbla briue lauoie .......... Qui lauoie aloignast sordestre D ecendu sont alorherberges E nlalande otassezherberges M olt encosterent licorbel E nleu delonc et derosel L ogie auoit totes lortentes Par chemins uienent et parsentes L ablanchelande fuuestue M aint cheualier iout uestue C il qui lafu enz enlapree D emaint grant cerf ot lamenee L anuit seiornent alalande C hascun rois sist asademande Qui out deuices nest pas lenz L iuns alautre fait presenz L yrois artus apres mengier autref roimarc uait cointoier S apriueen maisnie maine L aot petit dedras delaine T uit liplusorfurent desoie D esuoteures que diroie D elaine iout cefuengraine E scarlate celdrap delaine M olt iot gent deriche ator N us niuit .ii. plusrichescort M aistrenen est dont lanenait E spauellons ont ioie fait L anuit deuisent lorafaire Con ment lafranche debonere S edoit deraisnier delenseigne V oiant lesrois et lorbarnage C ouchier senuait lirois artus osesbarons et oses druz

105

4072

4076

4080

4084

4088

4092

4096 30b 4100

4104

4108

106

Diplomatic Edition

M aint calemel mainte traine Qui fulanuit enlagaudine O ist aupauellon soner D euant leiorprist atoner A fermete fudechalor L es gaites ot cornerleior Par tot conmencent aleuer T uit sont leue sanz demorer L Isoleuzfuchauz sorlaprime choietefu et nielle et frime D euant lestentes as .ii. rois S ont asenble corneualois N out cheualier entot lereigne Qui nait osoi acort safeme V ndrapdesoie apaile bis D euantletref auroi fumis O urez fuenbestes menuz S orlerbe uert fuestenduz L idras fu achate enniques E ncornoualle notreliques E ntresor ne enfilatieres E naumaires nenautres ceres E nfiertresnen escrinz nen chases Encroiz dor nedargent nenMases S orlepailes les orent mises A rengies par ordre asises L iroi setraient .i. part F aire iuolent loial esgart L irois artus parlapremier Qui deparler fuprinsautier R ois marc fait il quiteconselle T el outrage sifaitmeruelle C ertes fait il silsedes loie T ues legier ametre enuoie N edoit trouer parole fause T rop teferoit amere sause Qui parlement tifist ioster M olt lideuroit ducors coster Et ennuier quiuoloit faire L afranche yseut ladebonere

4112

4116

4120

4124

4128

4132 30c

4136

4140

4144

4148

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

N eueut respit neterme auoir C ilpuent bien defisauoir Qui uendront saderesne prendre Que gesferai encorependre Qui lareteront de folie Pus saderesne parenuie D igne seroient dauoir mort O roiez roi qui ara tort L aroine uendra auant S iqel uerrontpetit et grant Et siiurra osamain destre S or lescorsainz auroi celestre Que l onques not amor conmune A tonneuo.ne .ii. neune Que lentornast auilanie N amor neprist parputerie D an marc trop aice dure Q ant ele aura eisi iure D ites barons quil aient pes H a:sire artus qen pus iemes T ume blasmes et siastort Q ar fous est qui enuieus croit G es aicreuz outremongre S e laderaisne est encelpre I aniaura mais sihardiz S eil apres les es condiz E ndisoit rien seanornon Qui nen eust mal gerredon C esaciez uos artus frans rois C aestefait cest sormonpois O rsegardent dui enauant L iconsel departent atant Q uit sasistrent par mie lesrens fors lesdeus rois cest agrant sens Y seut fu entre eus deus asmains P res des reliques fait gauuais L amesnie artus leproisie E ntor lepaile estarengie A rtus prist laparole enmain Qui fu diseut leplus prochain

107

4152

4156

4160

4164

30d

4168

4172

4176

4180

4184

4188

108

Diplomatic Edition

E ntendezmoi yseut labele O iezdeqoi onuosapele Que tristran not uersuos amor D eputee ne defolor F orscele que deuoit porter En uerssononcle et uers saper S eignors fait elpordeumerci Saintes reliques uoi ici O Res coutez que ie ci iure D equoi leroi ciaseure S imait dex et saint ylaire C es reliques cest saintuaire T otes celes qui cinesont Et tuit celes deparlemont Q entre mes cuises nentra home F ors leladre quifist sor some Qui meporta outre les guez Et lirois marc mes esporez C es deus ostdemon soirement G enen ost plusdetote gent D edeus nemepus escondire D uladre duroi marc monsire L iladres fu entremes ianbes .......... Qui uoudra que ieplus enface T ote en sui preste en cesteplace T uit cil quilont oï iurer N epuentpas plusendurer D exfait chas cunesifiere eniure T ant en afait apres droiture P lus iamis quenedisoient N e que lifel ne reque roient N e licouient plus escondit Q auez oi grant et petit F ors duroi et desonneuo E le aiure et mis enuo Q entreses cuises nusnentra Que limeseaus qui laporta I er endroit tierce entrelesguez Et liroismarc ses esposez

4192

4196

4200

31a 4204

4208

4212

4216

4220

4224

4228

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

M al ait iamais lenmesquerra Linies artus enpiez leua L iroi marc amis araison Que tuit loirent libaron R ois laderaisne auon ueue Et bien oie et entendue O r esgardent litroi felon D ono alent et Guenelon Et Goudoïne limauues Que il neparolent sol iames I aneseront encele terre Qui l maintenist nepaisnegerre D es que iorroie lanouele D e laroine yseut labele Que ni allons aesperon L uiderais nier pargrant raison S ire fait el uostre merci M olt sont decort litroi haï L escorz departent sisenuont Y seut labele olechiefblont M ercie molt leroi artur D ame fait il ieuos asur N etrouerez mais qui uosdie T ant coniaie sante neuie N is unerien seamor non M allepenserent lifelon G eprie leroi uostre seignor Et feel ment molt paramor Que mais felon deuos necroie D ist liroi marc segel faisoie D or enauant sime blasmez L iuns delautre sest seurez C hascun senuient ason Roiaume L irois artus vient adurelme R ois marc remest encornoualle T ristran seiorne poi traualle L Irois acornoualle enpes Tuit lecriment et luin et pres E nses deduiz yeseut enmeine D elie amer forment sepaine

109

4232

4236

31b 4240

4244

4248

4252

4256

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M ais qui qait pais litroifelon S ont en esgart detraison A eus fu uenue .i. espie Qui uaquerant changier sauie S eignors fait il ormentendez S eieuos ment sime pendez L irois uos sout lautrier malgre Et nos enacuelli en he P orlederaisne samollier P endre motroi ouessilier S ene uos mostre apertement T ristran laonson aiseatent D eparler osachieredrue I l est repost sisai samue Q ant lirois uait asondeduits T ristran set molt demalpertis E nlachanbreuet congieprendre D emoi faciezen .i. feucendre S euos alez alafenestre D elachanbre derier adestre S eniueez tristran uenir S espee cainte .i. arc tenir .II. seetes enlautremain E nuit uerrez uenir parmain Con ment lesez ielaiueu T ristran ieuoire et conneu Q ant ifuil huimain liui Et qui olui cil sonami A mi et qui dangouernal Qui lsesont mis enh aut ostal S ededuient cest chies dinas Et iequesai ilnisont pas S anz sonseu asezpuet estre O uueronos parlafenestre D elachanbre ceest totuoir S egeluos mostre grant auoir E ndoi auoir qant leu’ratin N omez lauoir .i. marcdargent Et plus assez quelapramesse S iuos ait iglise et messe

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

S etu mostres nipuezfallir N etefacon amanantir O R mentendez fait licuuert Et .i. petit fenestreouuert E ndroit lachanbre laroine Par dedeuant uet lacortine T ries laclanbreestgrant la doiz Et bien espesseliiagloiz L un deuos trois iaut matin Par lafraite duNuef iardin V oist belement tresqueaupertus F ors lafenestre niaut nus F aites.une longuebrochete A .i. coutel bien agucete P oigniez ledrap delacortine O labrochepoignant despine L acortine souauet sache A upertuset connelestache Que tu uoies ladedenz cler Q ant iluenra aluiparler S eilsitenpnz sol .iii. iorz iarde A tant otroi quelen menarde S eneueez ce que iedi F aitchascun deus ieuosafi A tenir uostre couenant L espie fontaler auant L orsdeuisent liqeus deus trois I ra premier uoier lorlois Que tristran alachanbre maine O celie qui seue est demeine O troieout que goudoïne I ra aupre merain termine D epartent soi chascun senuet D emain sauront con tristran sert D ex lafranchene segardot D es felons nedelortripot Par perinis .i. suen prochain A uoit mande quelendemain T ristran uenist alie matin L irois iroit asaint lubin

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Diplomatic Edition

O ez seignors quelauenture L endemain fulanuit oscure T ristran sefumis alauoie Par lespesse dun espinoie A lissue dunegaudine G arda uit uenir gondoïne Et sen uenoit de sonrecet T ristran liafet .i. aget R epost sefu alespinoi H a:dex fait il regardemoi Que cil quiuientnemapercoiue T ant quedeuant moi lerecoiue E nsus latent sespeetient G oudoïne autreuoietient T ristran remest aqui molt poise I st dubuison celepart toise M ais pornoient qerr cil sesloigne Qui enfel leu amis sapoine T ristran garda auluien siuit N edemoraque .i. petit D enoalan ueniranblant O .ii. leuriers meruelles grant A fustez est a .i. pomier D enoalent uint lesentier S or .i. petit palefroi noir S es chiensout enuoie mouer E n .i. espoise .i. fier sengler A inz quil lepuisen desangler A ura lormestretel colee Que iaparmire nert sanee T Ristra lipreuz fudesfublez denoalen est tost alez A inz nensoutmot qant Tristransaut F uir senueut mais ilifaut T ristran lifu deuant troppres M orir lefist qenpout ilmes S amort queroit cil sengarda Que lechief dubu liseura N elilut dire tumebleces

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O lespee trencha lestreces E nsachauceles aboutees Q ant lesaura yseut mostrees Que lelencroie quillamort D iluec senpart tristran afort H alas: faitilqueest deuenuz Goudouïne or sest toluz Que ui uenir orainz sitost E st il passez ala tantost S ilmatendist sauoirpeust I amellorgerredon neust Que doalan lefel enporte Qui iai laisie lateste morte T ristran laise lecors gesant E nmie lalande enuers sanglent T ertsespee silare mise E nson fuerre sachape aprise L echaperon elchief seimet S orlecors .i. grant fust atret A lachanbre sadrueuint M ais oroiez conli auint G oudoine fuacoruz Et fu ainz quetristran uenuz L acortine otdedenz percie V it lachanbre qui fuionchie T otuit qant que dedenz auoit H ome fors perinis neuoit B rengain iuint ladamoisele O uout pignie yseutlabele L epieigne auoit encor osoi L efel quifu al aparoi Garda siuit tristran entrer Qui tint .i. arc daubor ancer E nsamain tint ses .ii. seetes E nlautre .ii. treces longuetes S achape osta pert ses genz cors I seut labele olescrins sors Con trelui lieue silsalue Par safenestre uitlanue

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Diplomatic Edition

D elateste degondoïne D egrant sauoir fularoine D ire tresue sapersone Y seut tristran enaraisone S e dex megart fait ilausuen V ez lestreces denoalen G etai delui pris lauen iance I amais parlui escu nelance N iert achatez nemis enpris S ire fait ele ge qen puis M es prie uos que cest arctendez Et er u ron com il est bendez T ristran sesteut sisapensa O iez ensonpenser tensa P rent sentente sitendilarc E nquiert noueles duroi marc Y seut lendit ce quele ensot .......... S il enpeust uis eschaper D uroi marc et diseut saper R eferoit sordre mortel gerre C il quideus doinst anor conquerre L engardera deleschaper Y seut nout curedegaber A mis . une seete encorde G ardedufil quil neretorde I euoi tel chose dontmoipoise T ristran delarc nospren tatoise T ristransestut sipensapose B ien soit qel uoit aucunechose Qui lides plaist garda en haut G rant poor atrenble et tresaut C ontreleior parlacortine V itlateste degodoïne H a: dex urai roi tant richestrait A idarc et deseete fait Con sentez moi quecest nefalle I. destrois feus decornoualle V oi agrant tort parladefors D eus qui letuen saintismecors

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P orlepueple meis amort L ai moi ueniance auoirdutort Que cil felon mueuent uersmoi L ors atornera uers laparoi S ouent ot entese sitrait L aseete sitost senuait R iens nepeust delui gandir Par mieluel lalifait brandir T rencha letest et laceruele E smerillons nearondele D e lamoitie sitost neuole S ecefust .i. pome mole N issist laseete plustost C il chiet sisehurtea .i. post O nques nepiez nebraz nemut S eulement direnelilut B leciez sui dex confession

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.......... Que nul senblant de rien en face. Com ele aprisme son ami, Oiez com el l’a devanci: “S[ire Tristran,] por Deu le roi! [ si grant pechié avez de moi,] [Qui me mandez a itel ore!”] [Or fait senblant con s’ele plore.] [. . . . . . . . . . mie] [. . . . . . . . . . mais en vie] [. . . . . . . . . . ceste asenblee] [. . . . . . . . . . s’espee] [. . . . . . . . . . [. . . . . . . . . . [Comme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ] [“Par Deu, qui l’air fist et la mer,] N[e me mandez nule fois mais.] Je vos [di bien, Tristran, a fais,] Certes je [n’i vendroie mie.] Li rois pen[se que par folie,] Sire Tristran, [vos aie amé.] Mais [Deu plevis ma loia]uté, Qui sor [mon cors mete flaele] [S’onques fors cil qui m’ot pucele] [Out m’amisté encor nul] jor! [Se li felon de] cest enor, [Por qui] jadis vos conbatistes O le Morhout, qant l’oceïstes,

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Li font acroire, ce me senble, Que nos amors jostent ensenble, Sire, vos n’en avez talent; Ne je, par Deu omnipotent, N’ai corage de drüerie Qui tort a nule vilanie. Meus voudroie que je fuse arse, Aval le vent la poudre esparse, Jor que je vive quë amor Aie o home qu’o mon seignor. Et, Deus! si ne m’en croit il pas! Je puis dire: de haut si bas! [S]ire, molt dist voir Salemon: [Qui de forches rai]ent larron, [Ja pus ne l’amera nul] jor. [Se li] felon de cest enor [. . . . . . . . . . [. . . . . . . . . . [. . . . . . . . . . [. . aise . . . parole . . .] [. . a nos deüsent il cel]er. . . . . . . ]t mal endurer De la plaie que vos preïstes En la batalle que feïstes O mon oncle. Je vos gari. Se vos m ’en erïez ami, N’ert pas mervelle, par ma foi! Et il ont fait entendre au roi Que vos m’amez d’amor vilaine. Si voient il Deu et son reigne! Ja nul verroient en la face. Tristran, gardez en nule place Ne me mandez por nule chose; Je ne seroie pas tant ose Que je i osase venir. Trop demor ci, n’en qier mentir. S’or en savoit li rois un mot Mon cors seret desmenbré tot; Bien sai qu’il me dorroit la mort, Et si seroit a molt grant tort.

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Critical Edition

Tristran, certes li rois ne set Que por lui par vos aie ameit. Por ce qu’eres du parenté Vos avoie je en cherté. Je quidai jadis que ma mere Amast molt les parenz mon pere; Et disoit ce: que ja mollier Nen avroit ja [son] seignor chier Qui les p[arenz n’en amereit.] C[ertes, bien sai que voir diset.] [Sire, molt t’ai por lui amé,] [Et j’en ai tot perdu son gré.”] [“Certes, et il nen . . . . ] [Por qoi seroit tot suen li . . . ] S[i home li ont fait acroire] De nos [tel chose qui n’est voire.”] “Sire Tristran, que [volez] dire? Molt est cortois li rois, mi sire. Ja nu pensast nul jor, par lui, Q’en cest pensé fuson andui. Mais l’en puet home desveier: Faire mal faire et bien laisier; Si a l’on fait de mon seignor. Tristran, vois m’en, trop i demor.” “Dame, por amor Deu, merci! Mandai toi et or es ici; Entent un poi a ma proiere. Ja t’ai je tant tenue chiere!” (Qant out oï parler sa drue Sout que s’estoit aperceüe. Deu en rent graces et merci; Or set que bien istront de ci.) “Ahi! Yseut, fille de roi, Franche, cortoise, bone foi, Par plusors foiz vos ai mandee Puis que chanbre me fu vee Ne puis ne poi a vos parler. Dame, or vos vuel merci crier, Qu’il vos menbre de cest chaitif Qui a traval et a duel vif.

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Qar j’ai tel duel c’onques le roi Out mal pensé de vos vers moi Qu’il n’i a el fors que je muere. Fort m’est a cuer . . . que je . . . Dame, granz . . . . . . . D............ [. . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . . . . . . . . ne fai [. . . . . . . . mon corage [. . . . . . qu’il fust si sage [. . . . . creüst pas losengier [Moi desor lui a esloignier. [Li fel covert] Cor[neuale]is [Or en sont lié et] font gabois. [Or voi je bien, si] con je quit, [Qu’il ne voudroi]ent que o lui Eüst [home] de son linage. Molt [m’a pené son] mariage. Deus! Por quoi est li rois si fol? Ainz me lairoie par le col Pendre a un arbre q’en ma vie O vos preïse drüerie. Il ne me lait sol escondire! Por ses felons vers moi s’aïre. Trop par fait mal qu’il les en croit; Deceü l’ont, gote ne voit. Molt les vi ja taisant et muz Qant li Morhot fu ça venuz. Or n’en i out un d’eus tot seus Qui osast prendre ses adous. Molt vi mon oncle iluec pensif; Mex vosist estre mort que vif. Por s’onor croistre m’enarmai; Conbati m’en, si l’enchaçai. Ne deüst pas mis oncles chiers De moi croire ses losengiers; Sovent en ai mon cuer irié. Pensë il que n’en ait pechié? Certes, oïl, n’i faudra mie. Por Deu, le fiz Sainte Marie, Dame, ore li dites errant

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Qu’il face faire un ré ardant Et je m’en entrerai el ré. Se ja un poil en ai bruslé De la haire qu’avrai vestu, Si me laist tot ardoir u feu, Qar je sai bien n’a de sa cort Qui a batalle o moi s’atort. Dame, por vostre grant franchise Donc ne vos en est pitié prise? Dame, je vos en cri merci: Tenez moi bien a mon ami. Qant je vinc ça a lui par mer, Com a seignor i vol torner.” “Par foi, sire, grant tort avez, Qui de tel chose a moi parlez: Que de vos le mete a raison Et de s’ire face pardon. Je ne vuel pas encor morir Ne moi du tot en tot perir. Il vos mescroit de moi forment, Et j’entendrai le parlement? Donc seroie je trop hardie. Par foi, Tristran, n’en ferai mie, Ne vos nu me devez requerre. Tote sui sole en ceste terre. Il vos a fait chanbres veer Por moi; s’il or m’en ot parler, Bien me porroit tenir por fole; Par foi, ja n’en dirai parole. Et si vos dirai une rien, Si vuel que vos le saciés bien: Se il vos pardounot, beau sire, Par Deu, son mautalent et s’ire, J’en s[eroie joio]se et lie. [S’or savoit ceste] chevauchie, [Cel sai je bien: que ja resort,] [Tristran, n’avroit contre la mort.] [Vois m’en,[mais ja ne prendrai some:] [Grant poor ai que aucun home] [Ne vos ait ci veü venir.] [S’un mot en] puet li rois oïr

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[Que nos fuson] ça asenblé, Il me feroit ardoir en ré; Ne seret pas mervelle grant. Mis cors trenble, poor ai grant. De la poor qui or me prent Vois m’en; trop sui ci longuement.” Iseut s’en torne, il la rapele. “Dame, por Deu qui en pucele Prist por le pueple umanité, Conseilliez moi par charité! Bien sai n’i osez mais remaindre. Fors a vos ne sai a qui plaindre; Bien sai que molt me het li rois. Engagiez est tot mon hernois; Car le me faites delivrer, Si m’en fuirai; n’i os ester. Bien sai que j’ai grant prooise Par tote terre ou sol adoise; Bien sai que u monde n’a cort, S’i vois, li sires ne m’anort. Et se onques point du suen oi, Yseut, par cest mien chief le bloi, Ne ce voudroit avoir pensé Mes oncles, ainz un an passé, Por si grant d’or com il est toz; Ne vos en qier mentir deus moz. Yseut, por [Deu, de moi pensez;] Envers [mon oste m’aquitez!”] “Par Deu, T[ristran, molt me mervel [Que me donez itel consel!] [Vos m’alez porchaçant mon mal;] [Icest consel n’est pas loial.] [Vos savez bien la mescreance,] [Ou soit savoir ou set enfance.] Par Deu, l[i sire glorios] Qui forma ciel et t[erre et nos,] Se il en ot .i. mot parler Que vos gages face aquiter, Trop par seroit aperte chose; Certes, je ne sui pas si osse,

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Critical Edition

Ne nel vos di por averté, Se saciés vos de verité.” Atant s’en est Iseut tornee. Tristran l’a plorant salüee. Sor le perron de marbre bis Tristran s’apuie, ce m’est vis. Demente soi a lui tot sol: “Ha, Deus! Beau sire Saint Evrol! Je ne pensai faire tel perte Ne foïr m’en a tel poverte. N’en merré armes ne cheval Ne conpaignon fors Governal. Ha, [Deus]! D’ome desatorné! Petit fait om de lui cherté. Qant je serai en autre terre, S’oi chevalier parler de gerre, Ge n’en oserai mot soner. Hom nu n’a nul leu de parler. Or m’estovra sofrir Fortune; Trop m’a ja fait mal et rancune. Beaus oncle[s, poi me deconnut] [Qui de ta feme me mescrut;] [Onques n’oi talent de tel rage]. [Petit savroit de mon corage] .......... .......... .......... [Li rois qui sus en l’arbre estoit] [Out l’asenblee bien veüe] [Et la raison tote entendue]. [De la pitié q’au cor li prist] [Qu’il ne plorast ne s’en tenist] [Por nul avoir. Mol]t a grant duel,] [Molt het le] nain de Tintaguel. “L[as!”fait li roi]s,”Or ai veü [Que li nains m]’a trop deceü. En ce[st arbre] me fist monter; Il ne me [pout] plus ahonter. De mon nev[o me] fist entendre Mençonge, por qoi[l] ferai pendre.

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Por ce me fist metre en aïr: De ma mollier faire haïr. Ge l’en crui et si fis que fous. Li gerredon[s] l’en sera sous: Se je le puis as poinz tenir, Par feu ferai son cors fenir. Par moi avra plus dure fin Que ne fist faire Costentin A Segoçon qu’il escolla Qant o sa feme le trova.” (Il l’avoit coroné’ a Rome, Et la servoient maint prodome. Il la tint chiere et honora; En lié mesfist, puis en plora.) Tristran s’en ert pieça alez. Li rois de l’arbre est devalez. En son cuer dit or croit sa feme Et mescroit les barons du reigne, Que li faisoient chose acroire Que il set b[ien que n’est pas] voire Et qu’il [a prové a mençonge.] Or ne [laira] q’au nain ne donge O s’espee si sa merite, Par lui n’iert mais traïson dite; Ne jamais jor ne mescroira Tristran d’Iseut, ainz lor laira La chanbre tot a lor voloir. “Or puis je bien enfin savoir. Se feüst voir, ceste asenblee Ne feüst pas issi finee; S’il s’amasent de fol’ amor, Ci avoient asez leisor: Bien les veïse entrebaisier. Ges ai oï si gramoier, Orr sai je bien n’en ont corage. Por qoi croi je si fort outrage? Ce poise moi, si m’en repent. Molt est fous qui croit tote gent. Bien deüse ainz avoir prové De ces deus genz la verité

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Que je eüse fol espoir. Buen virent aprimer cest soir! Au parlement ai tant apris, Jamais jor n’en serai pensis. Par matinet sera paiez Tristran o moi, s’avra congiez D’estre a ma chanbre a son plesir. Or est remés li suen fuïr Qu’il voloit faire le matin.” Oiez du nain boçu Frocin! Fors estoit, si gardoit en l’er; Vit Orïent et Lucifer. Des estoiles le cors savoit, Les set planestres devisoit; [Il savoit bien que ert a estre;] [Qant il oiet un enfant nestre,] Les poinz [contot toz de sa vie.] Li na[ins Frocins, plain]s de voisdie, [Molt se penout] de ceus deçoivre Qui de l’ame le feroit soivre. As estoiles choisist l’asente; De mautalent rogist et enfle. Bien set li rois fort le menace; Ne laira pas qu’il nu deface. Molt est li nain nerci et pales; Molt tost s’en vet fuiant vers Gales. Li rois vait molt le nain querant; Nu puet trover, s’en a duel grant. Yseut est en sa chanbre entree. Brengain la vit descoloree; Bien sout que ele avoit oï Tel rien dont out le cuer marri, Qui si muoit et palisoit ............ Ele respont: “Bele magistre, Bien doi estre pensive et tristre. Brengain, ne vos vel pas mentir: Ne sai qui hui nos vout traïr, Mais li rois Marc estoit en l’arbre Ou li perrons estoit de marbre.

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Je vi son onbre en la fontaine. Deus me fist parler premeraine; Onques de ce que je i quis N’i out mot dit, ce vos plevis, Mais mervellos conplaignement Et mervellos gemissement. Gel blasmé que il me mandot, Et il autretant me priout Que l’acordase a mon seignor, Qui a grant tort [ert a error] [Vers lui de moi, et je li dis] [Que grant folie avoit dequis,] Que [je a lui mais ne vendroie] Ne [ja au roi ne parleroie.] Ne sai que [je plus racontasse;] Conpainz i out une grant [masse.] Onques li rois ne s’aperçut Ne mon estre ne desconnut; Partie me sui du tripot.” Qant l’ot Brengain, molt s’enjot. “Iseut, ma dame, grant merci Nos a Deus fait, qui ne menti, Qant il vos a fait desevrer Du parlement sanz plus outrer, Que li rois n’a chose veüe Que ne puise estre bien tenue. Granz miracles vos a fait Deus Il est verais peres, et teus Qu’il n’a cure de faire mal A ceux qui sont buen et loial.” Tristran ravoit tot raconté A son mestre com out ouvré. Qant conter l’ot, Deu en mercie Que plus n’i out fait o s’amie. Ne pout son nain trover li rois. (Deus! tant ert a Tristran sordois!) A sa chanbre li rois en vient; Iseut le voit, qui molt le crient. “Sire, por Deu, dont venez vos? Avez besoin, qui venez sous?”

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“Roïne, ainz vien a vos parler Et une chose demander; Si ne me celez pas le voir, Qar la verté en vuel savoir.” “Sire, on[ques jor] ne vos menti. [Se la mort doi] recevoir ci, S[’en dirai je le voir du] tot; J[a n’i] avra m[enti d’un] mot.” “D[ame], veïs puis mon nevo?” “S[ire, le v]oir v[os en] desno. Ne croiras p[as que v]oir en die, Mais jel dirai sanz tricherie: Gel vi et pus parlai a lui; O ton nevo soz cel pin fui. Or m’en oci, roi, se tu veus! Certes gel vi. Ce est grant deus, Qar tu penses que j’aim Tristrain Par puterie et par avien; Si ai tel duel que moi n’en chaut Se tu me fais prendre un mal saut. Sire, merci a ceste foiz! Je t’ai voir dit, si ne m’en croiz, Einz croiz parole vaine. Ma bone foi me fera saine. Tristran tes niés vint soz cel pin Qui est laienz en cel jardin, Si me manda qu’alasse a lui. Ne me dist rien, mais je li dui Anor faire [non] trop frarine; Par lui sui je de vos roïne. Certes, ne fusent li cuvert Qui vos dient ce qui ja n’iert, Volantiers li feïse anor. Sire, j’os tien por mon seignor, Et il est vostre niés, ç’oi dire; Por vos l’ai je tant amé, sire. Mais li felon, li losengier, Quil veulent de cort esloignier, Te font acroire la mençonge. Tristran s’en vet. Deus lor en doigne

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Male vergoigne recevoir! A ton nevo [par]lai ersoir. Molt se conplainst com angoisos, Sire, que l’acordasse a vos. Je li dis ce: qu’il s’en alast, Nule [fois m]ais ne me mand[ast], Qar je a lui mais ne vendroie Ne ja a vos n’en parleroie. Sire, de rien ne m’en creirez: Il n’i ot plus. Se vos volez, Ocïez moi, mes c’iert a tort. Tristran s’en vet por le descort, Bien sai que outre la mer passe. Dist moi que l’ostel li quitasse; Nel vol de rien nule aquiter Ne longuement a lui parler. Sire, or t’ai dit le voir sanz falle; Se je te ment, le chief me talle. Ce saciez, sire, sanz doutance: Je li feïse l’aquitance, Se je osace, volentiers; Nes sol quatre besanz entiers Ne li vol metre en s’aumosniere Por ta mesnie noveliere. Povre s’en vet; Deus le conduie! Par grant pechié li donez fuie. Il n’ira ja en cel païs Deus ne li soit verais amis.” Li rois sout bien qu’el ot voir dit, Les paroles totes oït. Acole la, cent foiz la beise. El plore; il dit qu’ele se tese; Ja nes mercrerra mais jul jor Por dit de nul losengeor; Allent et viengent a lor buens. Li avoirs [Tristran ert mes su]ens Et li sue[ns avoirs ert Tristrans]. N’en [crerra mais Corneu]lans. Or [dit li rois a la] roïne [Conme le felon nain] Frocine

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Critical Edition

[Out] anoncié le parlement Et com el pin plus hautement Le fist monter por eus voier A lor asenblement le soir. “Sire, estiez vos donc el pin?” “Oïl, dame, par saint Martin! Onques n’i ot parole dite Ge n’oïse, grant ne petite. Qant j’oï a Tristran retraire La batalle que li fis faire, Pitié en oi, petit falli Que de l’arbre jus ne chaï. Et quant je li oï retraire Le mal q’en mer li estut traire De la serpent, dont le garistes, Et les grans biens que li feïstes, Et quant il vos requist quitance De ses gages, si oi pesance (Ne li vosistes aquiter Ne l’un de vos l’autre abiter) – Pitié m’en prist a l’arbre sus; Souef m’en ris, si n’en fis plus.” “Sire, ce m’est molt buen forment; Or savez bien certainement. Molt avion bele loisor; Se il m’amait de fole amor, Asez en veïstes senblant. Ainz, par ma foi, ne tant ne quant Ne veïstes qu’il m’aprismast Ne mespreïst [ne me baisast]. [Bien senble ce] chose certaine: [Ne m’amot pas d]’amor vilaine. Sire, [s’or ne nos ve]ïsiez, Certes [ne nos en creüsiez.”] “Par Deu! je [non,” li rois respont.] “Brengain – se Dex anor [te don]st! – Por mon nevo va a l’ostel Et se il dit ou un ou el Ou n’i velle venir por toi, Di: je li mant qu’il vienge a moi.”

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Brengain li dit: “Sire, il me het, Si est a grant tort, Dex le set. Dit par moi est meslez o vos; La mort me veut tot a estros. G’irai; por vos le laisera; Bien tost que ne me tochera. Sire, por Deu, acordez m’i Quant il sera venu ici.” (Oiez que dit la tricheresse! Molt fist que bone lecherresse: Lores gaboit a esscient Et se plaignoit de maltalent.) “Rois, por li vois,” ce dist Brengain. “Acordez m’i, si ferez bien.” Li rois respont: “G’i metrai paine. Va tost poroc et ça l’amaine.” Yseut s’en rist et li rois plus. Brengain s’en ist les sauz par l’us. Tristran estoit a la paroi; Bien les oiet parler au roi. Brengain a par les bras saisie, Acole la, Deu en mercie .......... D’estre o Yseut a son plaisir. Brengain mist Tristran a raison: “Sire, laienz en sa maison A [li rois] grant raison tenue De [toi et de ta] chiere drue. Par[doné t’a son] ma[utalent;] Or het ceus que te [vont] meslant. [Proïe m’a] que vienge a toi. [G]e ai dit que ire as vers moi. Fai grant senblant [de toi] proier. N’i venir mie de legier. Se li rois fait de moi proiere, Fai par senblant mauvaise chiere.” Tristran l’acole si la beise; Liez est que ore ra son esse. A la chanbre painte s’en vont, La ou li rois et Yseut sont.

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Critical Edition

Tristran est en la chanbre entrez. “Niés,” fait li rois, “avant venez! Ton mautalent quite a Brengain Et je te pardorrai le mien.” “Oncle, chiers sire, or m’entendez! Legirement vos defendez Vers moi, qui ce m’avez mis sure Dont li mien cor el ventre pleure. Dannez seroie et el honie. Si grant desroi, tel felonie! Ainz nu pensames, Deus le set. Or savez bien que cil vos het Qui te fait croire tel mervelle. D’or en avant meux te conselle; Ne portë ire a la roïne N’a moi, qui sui de vostre orine.” “Non ferai je, beaus niés, par foi!” Acordez est Tristran au roi. Li rois li a doné congié D’estre a la chanbre. Es le vos lié! Tristran vait a la chanbre et vient; Nule cure li rois n’en tient. Ha! Deus, qui puet amor tenir Un an ou deus sanz descovrir? Car amors ne se puet celer. Sovent cline l’un vers son per, Sovent vienent a parlement, Et a celé et voiant gent. Par tot ne püent aise atendre; Maint parlement lor estuet prendre. A la cort avoit trois barons, Ainz ne veïstes plus felons. Par soirement s’estoient pris Que, se li rois de son païs Ne faisot son nevo partir, Il ne voudroient mais soufrir; A lor chasteaus sus s’en trairoient Et au roi Marc gerre feroient. Qar en un gardin soz un ente Virent l’autrier Yseut la gente

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Ovoc Tristran en tel endroit Que nus hon consentir ne doit; Et plusors foiz les ont veüz El lit roi Marc gesir toz nus. Qar quant li rois en vet el bois Et Tristran dit: “Sire, g’en vois,” Puis se remaint, entre en la chanbre; Iluec grant piece sont ensenble. “Nos li diromes nos meïmes; Alon au roi et si li dimes: Ou il nos aint ou il nos hast, Nos volon son nevo en chast.” Tuit ensenble ont ce cons[el pr]is. Le roi Marc ont a raison mis, A une part ont le roi trait. “Sire,” font il, “malement vet; Tes niés s’entraiment et Yseut, Savoir le puet quiconques veut, Et nos nu volon mais sofrir.” Li rois l’entent, fait .i. sospir. Son chief abesse vers la terre; Ne set qu’il die, sovent erre. “Rois,” ce dient li troi felon, “Par foi, mais nu consentiron; Qar bien savon de verité Que tu consenz lor cruauté Et tu sez bien ceste mervelle. Qu’en feras tu? Or t’en conselle. Se ton nevo n’ostes de cort Si que jamais [il] ne retort, Ne nos tenron a vos jamez Si ne vos tendron nule pez. De nos voisins feron partir De cort, que nel poon soufrir. Or t’avon tost cest geu parti; Tote ta volenté nos di.” “Seignor, vos estes mi fael. Si m’aït Deus, molt me mervel Que mes niés ma vergonde ait quise; Mais servi m’a d’estrange guise.

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Conseliez m’en, gel vos requier. Vos me devez bien consellier, Que servise perdre ne vuel. Vos savez bien, n’ai son d’orguel.” “Sire, or mandez le nain devin. Certes, il set de maint latin; Si en soit ja li consel pris. Mandez le nain, puis soit asis.” Et il i est molt tost venuz. (Dehez ait il conme boçuz!) Li un des barons l’en acole; Li rois li mostre sa parole. [Ha! Or oiez q]el [tr]aïson [Et confaite] se[ductïon] A dit au roi [cil na]in Frocin! (Dehé [aient tuit cil] devin! Qui porpensa tel felonie Con fist cist nain, qui Dex maudie!)? “Di ton nevo q’au roi Artur, A Carduel, qui est clos de mur, Covient qu’il alle par matin; Un brief escrit an parchemin Port a Artur toz les galoz, Bien seelé, a cire aclox. Rois, Tristran gist devant ton lit; Anevoies, en ceste nuit, Sai que voudra a lui parler, Por ceu que devra la aler. Rois, de la chanbre is a prinsome. Deu te jur et la loi de Rome, Se Tristran l’aime folement, A lui vendra a parlement. Et s’il i vient et ge nul sai, Se tu nu voiz, si me desfai – Et tuit ti home outreement – Prové seront sanz soirement. Rois, or m’en laise covenir Et a ma volenté servir, Et si li çole l’envoier Desi qu’a l’ore du cochier.”

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Li rois respont: “Amis, c’ert fait.” Departent soi, chascon s’en vait. Molt fu li nain de grant voidie, Molt par fist rede felonie. Cil en entra chiés un pestor; Quatre derees prist de flor, Puis la lia a son gueron. Qui pensast mais tel traïson? La nuit, qant ot li rois mengié, Par la sale furent couchié; Tristran ala le roi couchier. “Beaus niés,” fait il, “je vos requier, Ma volenté faites, gel vuel: Au roi Artus jusqu’a Carduel Vos covendra a chevauchier; Cel brief li faites desploier. Niés, de ma part le saluez; O lui c’un jor ne sejornez.” Du message ot Tristran parler; Au roi respont de lui porter. “Rois, ge irai bien par matin.” “O vos, ainz que la nuit ait fin.” Tristran fu mis en grant esfroi. Entre son lit et cel au roi Avoit bien le lonc d’une lance. Trop out Tristran fole atenance: En son cuer dist qu’il parleroit A la roïne, s’il pooit, Qant ses oncles ert endormiz. Dex, quel pechié! Trop ert hardiz! Li nains la nuit en la chanbre ert; Oiez conment cele nuit sert: Entre deus liez la flor respant, Que li pas allent paraisant Se l’un a l’autre la nuit vient. (La flor la forme des pas tient.) Tristran vit le nain besuchier Et la farine esparpellier; Porpensa soi que ce devoit, Qar si servir pas ne soloit.

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Critical Edition

Pus dist: “Bien tost a ceste place Espandroit flor por nostre trace Veer, se l’un a l’autre iroit. Qui iroit or, que fous feroit; Bien verra mais se or i vois.” Le jor devant, Tristran el bois En la janbe nafrez estoit D’un grant sengler; molt se doloit. La plaie molt avoit saignié; Desliez ert, par son pechié. Tristran ne dormoit pas, ce quit Et li rois live a mie nuit; Fors de la chanbre en est issuz O lui ala le nain boçuz. Dedenz la chanbre n’out clarté, Lanpe ne cirgë alumé. Tristran se fu sus piez levez. (Deus! Por qoi fist? Or escoutez!) Les piez a joinz; esme, si saut; El lit le roi chaï de haut. Sa plaie escrive, forment saine; Li sanc qui’n ist les dras ensaigne. La plaie saigne; ne la sent Qar trop a son delit entent. En plusors leus li sanc aüne. Li nains defors est; a la lune Bien vit josté erent ensenble Li dui amant; de joie en trenble, Et dist au roi: “Se nes puez prendre Ensenble, va, si me fai pendre.” Iluec furent li troi felon Par qui fu ceste traïson Porpensee priveement. Li rois s’en vient. Tristran l’entent, Live du lit, tot esfroïz, Errant s’en rest molt tost salliz. Au tresallir que Tristran fait Li sans decent – malement vait – De la plaie sor la farine. Ha, Deus! Quel duel que la roïne

712

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719 720 721 (ms. 719) 722 (ms. 720) 724

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

N’[avo]t les dras du lit ostez! Ne fust la nuit nus d’eux p[ro]vez. Se ele s’en fust apensee, Molt eüst bien s’anor tensee. (Molt grant miracle Deu i out Qui’s garanti, si con li plot.) Li ros a sa chanbre revient; Li nain que la chandele tient Vient avoc lui. Tristran faisoit Senblant conme se il dormoit, Qar il ronfloit forment du nez. Seus en la chanbre fu remés Fors tant que a ses piez gesoit Pirinis, qui ne s’esmovoit; Et la roïne an son lit jut. Sor la flor, chauz, li sanc parut. Li rois choisi el lit le sanc; Vermel en furent li drap blanc, Et sor la flor en pert la trace Du saut. Li rois Tristran menace. Li troi baron font, en la chanbre, Tristran par ire an son lit prendre. (Cuelli l’orent cil en haïne Por sa prooise et la roïne.) Laidisent le, molt le menacent Ne lairont justise n’en facent. Voient la janbe qui li saine. “Trop par a ci veraie enseigne; Provez estes!” ce dist li rois. “Vostre escondit n’i vaut un pois. Certes, Tristran, demain, ce quit, Soiez certains d’estre destruit.” Il li crie: “Sire, merci! Por Deu, qui pasion soufri, Sire, de nos pitié vos prenge!” Li fel dient: “Sire, or te venge!” “Beaus oncles, de moi ne me chaut; Bien sai venuz sui a mon saut. Ne fust por vos acorocier, Cist plez fust ja venduz molt chier;

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Critical Edition

Ja, por lor eulz, ne le pensasent Que ja de lor mains m’atochasent. Mais envers vos n’en ai je rien. Or, tort a mal ou tort a bien, De moi ferez vostre plesir, Et je sui prest de vos soufrir. Sire, por Deu, de la roïne Aiez pitié!” – Tristran l’encline – “Qar il n’a home en ta meson, Se disoit ceste traïson Que pris eüse drüerie O la roïne par folie, Ne m’en trovast en chanp armé. Sire, merci de li, por Dé!” Li troi qui a[n] la chanbre sont Tristra[n] ont pris et lié l’ont, Et liee ront la roïne. Molt est torné a grant haïne. (Ja, se Tristran ice seüst – Que s’escondire nul leüst – Meus se laisast vif depecier Que lui ne lié soufrist lïer. Mais en Deu tant fort se fiot Que bien savoit et bien quidoit, S’a escondit peüst venir, Nus n’en osast armes saisir Encontre lui, lever ne prendre. Bien se quidoit par chanp defendre. Por ce ne vout il vers le roi Mesfaire soi por nul desroi; Qar, s’il seüst ce qui en fut Et ce qui avenir lor dut, Il les eüst tuez toz trois; Ja ne les en gardast li rois. Ha, Deus! Por qoi ne les ocist? A mellor plait asez venist. Li criz live par la cité Q’endui sont ensenble trové, Tristran et la roïne Iseut, Et que li rois destruire eus veut.

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Pleurent li grant et li petit; Sovent l’un d’eux a l’autre dit: “Hélas! Tant avon a plorer! Ahi! Tristran, tant par es ber! Quel damage qu’en traïson Vos ont fait prendre cil gloton! Ha! Roïne franche, honoree, En quel terre sera mais nee Fille de roi qui ton cors valle? Ha! Nains, ç’a fait ton devinalle. Ja ne voie Deu en la face, Qui trovera le nain en place, Qi nu ferra d’un glaive el cors! Ahi! Tristran, si grant dolors Sera de vos, beaus chiers amis Qant si seroiz a destroit mis! Ha! Las, qel duel de vostre mort! Qant le Morhout prist ja ci port, Qui ça venoit por nos enfanz, Nos barons fist si tost taisanz Que onques n’ot un si hardi Qui s’en osast armer vers lui. Vos enpreïstes la batalle Por nos trestoz de Cornoualle Et oceïstes le Morhout. Il vos navra d’un javelot, Sire, dont tu deüs morir. Ja ne devrion consentir Que vostre cors fust ci destruit.” Live la noise et li bruit; Tuit en corent droit au palés. Li rois fu molt feus et engrés. N’i ot baron tant fort ne fier Qui ost le roi mot araisnier Qu’il i pardonast cel mesfait. Or vient li jor, la nuit s’en vait. Li rois conmande espines querre Et une fosse faire en terre. Li rois, tranchanz de main tenant, Par tot fait querre les sarmenz

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Et assenbler o les espines Aubes et noires, o racines. Ja estoit bien prime de jor. Le ban crierent par l’enor Que tuit en allent a la cort. Cil qui plus puet plus tost acort. Asenblé sont Corneualeis. Grant fu la noise et li tibois. N’i a celui ne face duel Fors que li nains de Tintajol. Li rois lor a dit et monstré Qu’il veut faire dedenz un ré Ardoir son nevo et sa feme. Tuit s’escrient la gent du reigne: “Rois, trop ferïez lai pechié, S’il n’estoient primes jugié; Puis les destrui. Sire, merci!” Li rois par ire respondi: “Par cel seignor qui fist le mont, Totes les choses qui i sont, Ne lairoie nes arde en ré, Por estre moi desherité Se j’en sui araisnié jamais. Laisiez m’en tot ester en pais!” Le feu conmande a alumer Et son nevo a amener; Ardoir le veut premierement. Or vont por lui; li rois l’atent. Lors l’en ameinent par les mains. Par Deu, trop firent que vilains! Tant ploroit, mais rien ne li monte; Fors l’en ameinent a grant honte. Yseut plore, par poi n’enrage. “Tristran,” fait ele, “quel damage Qu’a si grant honte estes liez! Qui m’oceïst, si garisiez, Ce fust grant joie, beaus amis; Encor en fust vengement pris.” Oez, seignors, de Damledé, Conment il est plains de pité;

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Ne vieat pas mort de pecheor. Receü out le cri, le plor Que faisoient la povre gent Por ceus qui eirent a torment. Sor la voie par ont il vont Une chapele a sor un mont. O coin d’une roche est asise; Sor mer ert faite, devers bise. La part que l’en claime chancel Fu asise sur un moncel; Outre n’out rien fors la faloise. Cil mont est plain de pierre atoise; S’uns escureus de lui sausist, Si fust il mort, ja n’en garist. En la dube out une verrine Que un sainz i fist, porperine. Tristran ses meneors apele: “Seignors, vez ci une chapele. Por Deu, quar m’i laisiez entrer. Pres est mes termes de finer; Preerai Deu qu’il merci ait De moi, qar trop li ai forfait. Seignors, n’i a que ceste entree; A chascun voi tenir s’espee. Vos savez bien, ne pus issir; Par vos m’en estuet revertir; Et qant je deproié avrai, A vos eisinc lors revendrai.” Or l’a l’un d’eus dit a son per: “Bien le poon laisier aler.” Les lians sachent, en entre enz. Tristran ne vait pas conme lenz; Triés l’autel vi[n]t a la fenestre, A soi l’en traist a sa main destre, Par l’overture s’en saut hors; Meus veut saillir que ja ses cors Soit ars, voiant tel aünee. Seignors, une grant pierre lee Out u mileu de cel rochier. Tristran i saut molt de legier.

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Li vent le fiert entre les dras, Quil defent qu’il ne chie a tas (Encor claiment Corneualan Cele pierre “le saut Tristran.”) La chapele ert plaine de pueple. Tristran saut jus. L’araine ert moble; Toz a genoz font en la glise. Cil l’atendent defors l’iglise Mais por noient; Tristran s’en vet. Bele merci Deus li a fait. La riviere granz saus s’enfuit, Molt par ot bien le feu qui bruit, N’a corage que il retort Ne puet plus corre qui il cort. Mais or oiez de Governal! Espee çainte, sor cheval, De la cité s’en est issuz. Bien set, se il fust conseüz, Li rois l’arsist por son seignor; Fuiant s’en vait por la poor. Molt ot li mestre Tristran chier, Qant il son brant ne vout laisier, Ançois le prist la ou estoit; Avoc le suen l’en aportoit. Tristran son mestre aperceüt; Ahucha le (bien le connut). Qant il le vit, grant joie en fait. Et il i est venuz a hait. “Maistre, ja m’a Deus fait merci: Eschapé sui, et or sui ci. Hélas! Dolent! Et moi que chaut? Qant n’ai Yseut, rien ne me vaut, Dolent, le saut que orains fis. Que dut ice que ne m’ocis? Ce me peüst estre molt tart! Eschapé sui! Yseut, l’en t’art! Certes, por noient eschapai: En l’art por moi, por li morrai.” Dist Governal: “Por Deu, beau sire, Confortez vos, n’acuelliez ire.

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Veez ci un espés buison, Clos a fossé tot environ. Sire, meton nos la dedenz. Par ci trespassent maintes genz; Asez orras d’Iseut novele. Et se en l’art, jamais an cele Ne monterez, se vos briment N’en prenez senpres vengement! Vos en avrez molt bone aïe. Ja, par Jesu, le fil Marie, Ne gerrai mais dedenz maison Tres que li troi felon larron Par que’st destruite Yseut ta drue En avront la mort receüe! S’or estïez, beau sire, ocis Que vengement n’en fust ainz pris, Jamais nul jor n’avroie joie.” Tristran respont: “Deus vos en oie! Beau mestre, n’ai point de m’espee.” “Si as, que je l’ai aportee.” Dist Tristran: “Maistre, donc est bien; Or ne criem, fors Deu, uimais rien.” “Encor ai je soz ma gonele Tel rien qui vos ert bone et bele: Un hauberjon fort et legier Que vos porra avoir mestier. “Deus!” dist Tristran, “Baillez le moi! Par icel Deu en qui je croi, Meus vuel estre tot depeciez – Se je a tens y vien, au rez, Ainz que getee i soit m’amie – Ceus qui la tienent n’en ocie).” Governal dist: “Ne te haster! Tel chose te puet Deus doner Que te porras molt meus venger; N’i avras pas tel destorbier Con tu porroies or avoir. N’i voi or point de ton pooir, Qar vers toi est iriez li rois; Avoié sont tuit li borjois

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Et trestuit cil de la cité: Sor ses eulz a toz conmandé Que cil qui ainz te porra prendre, S’il ne te prent, fera le pendre. Chascun aime meus soi qu’autrui: Se l’en levout sor toi le hui, Teus te voudroit bien delivrer, Ne l’oseret neis porpenser.” Plore Tristran, molt fait grant duel; Ja, por toz ceus de Tintajol, S’en li deüst tot depecier, Qu’il n’en tenist piece a sa per, Ne laisast il qu’il n’i alast. Se son mestre ne li veiast. En la chanbre uns mes acort Qui dist Yseut qu’ele ne plort, Que ses amis est eschapez. “Deus!” fait ele, “en ait bien grez! Or ne me chaut se il m’ocient Ou il me lïent ou deslïent.” Si l’avoit fait lïer li rois, Par le conmandement as trois, Qu’il li ont si les poinz estroiz Li sanc li iest par toz les doiz. “Par Deu!” fait el, “se je m’escor Qant li felon losengeor Qui garder durent mon ami L’ont deperdu, la Deu merci! Ne me devroit l’on mes proisier. Bien sai que li nains losengier Et li felon, li plain d’envie, Par qui consel iere perie, En avront encor lor deserte; Torner lor puise a male perte!” Seignor, au roi vient la novele Q’eschapez est par la chapele Ses niés, qui il devoit ardoir. De mautalent en devint noir; De duel ne set con se contienge. Par ire rove que Yseut vienge.

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Yseut est de la sale issue; La noise live par la rue. Qant la dame liee virent – A laidor ert – molt s’esfroïrent. Qui ot le duel qu’il font por li, Com il crïent a Deu merci! “Ha! Roïne franche, honoree, Qel duel ont mis en la contree Par qui ceste novele est sorse! Certes, en asez poi de borse En porront metre le gaain. Avoir en puisent mal mehain!” Amenee fu la roïne Jusquë au ré ardant d’espine. Dinas, li sire de Dinan, Qui a mervelle amoit Tristran, Se lait choier au pié le roi. “Sire,” fait il, “entent a moi! Je t’ai servi molt longuement, Sanz vilanie, loiaument. Ja n’avras home en tot cet reigne, Povre orfelin ne vielle feme, Qui por vostre seneschaucie, Que j’ai eü tote ma vie, Me donast une beauveisine. Sire, merci de la roïne! Vos la volez sanz jugement Ardoir en feu. Ce n’est pas gent, Qar cest mesfait ne connoist pas; Duel ert, se tu le suen cors ars. Sire, Tristran est eschapez. Les plains, les bois, les pas, les guez Set forment bien, et molt est fiers. Ses oncles es, et il tes niés; A vos ne mesferoit il mie; Mais vos barons, en sa ballie S’il les trovout, nes vilonast? Encor en ert ta terre en gast. Sire, certes, ne qier noier: Qui avroit sol un escuier

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Por moi destruit ne a feu mis, Se iere roi de set païs, Ses me metroit il en balence Ainz que n’en fust prise venjance. Pensez que de si franche feme, Qu’il amena de lointain reigne, Que lui ne poist s’ele est destruite? Ainz en avra ancor grant luite. Rois, rent la moi par la merite Que servi t’ai tote ma vite!” Li troi par qui cest ovre sort Sont devenu taisant et sort, Qar bien sevent Tristran s’en vet; Molt grant dote ont qu’il nes aget. Li rois prist par la main Dinas; Par ire a juré saint Thomas Ne laira n’en face justise Et qu’an ce fu ne soit el mise. Dinas l’entent; molt a grant duel. Ce poise li; ja par son vuel Nen iert destruite la roïne. En piez se live o chiere encline. “Rois, je m’en vois jusqu’a Dinan. Par cel seignor qui fist Adan, Ja ne la verroie j’ardoir Por tot l’or ne por tot l’avoir C’onques ourent li plus riche home Qui furent des l’estruit de Rome.” Puis monte el destrier se s’en torne, Chiere encline, marriz et morne. Iseut fu au feu amenee; De gent fu tote avironee Qui trestuit braient et tuit crient, Les traïtors le roi maudient. L’eve li file aval le vis. En un bliaut de paile bis Estoit la dame estroit vestue Et d’un fil d’or menu cosue; Si chevel hurtent a ses piez, D’un filet d’or les ot trechiez.

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Qui voit son cors et sa fachon, Trop par avroit le cuer felon Qui n’en avroit de lié pitié; Molt sont si braz estroit lié. Un malade out en Lancïen, Par non fu apelé Ivein. A mervelle par fu desfait. Acoru fu voier cel plait. Bien out a lui cent conpaignons O lor puioz, o lor bastons. Ainz ne veïstes tant si lait Ne si boçu ne si desfait. Chascun tenoit sa tartarie, Crïent au roi a voiz serie: “Sire, tu veux faire justise, Ta feme ardoir en ceste gise. Granz est; mes se je ainz rien soi, Ceste justise durra poi; Molt l’avra tost cil grant feu arse Et la poudre cist venz esparse; Cest feu charra, en ceste brese Ceste justise ert tost remese. Mais, se vos croire me volez, Tel justise de li ferez Qu’ele vivroit, et sanz valoir, Et que voudroit meus mort avoir; Et que nus n’en orroit parler Qui plus ne t’en tenist por ber. Rois, voudroies le faire issi?” Li rois l’entent, si respondi: “Se tu m’enseignes cest, sanz falle Qu’ele vivë et que ne valle, Gré t’en savrai, ce sachez bien; Et se tu veus, si pren du mien. Onques ne fu dit’ tel maniere, Tant dolerose ne tant fire, Qui orendroit tote la pire Seüst, por Deu le roi, eslire, Que il n’eüst m’amor tot tens.” Ivains respont: “Si con je pens,

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Jel te dirai, asez briment. Veez, j’ai ci conpaignons cent. Yseut nos done, s’ert conmune; Paior fin dame n’ot nesune. Sire, en nos a si grant ardor Soz ciel n’a dame qui un jor Peüst soufrir nostre convers; Li drap nos sont au cors aers. O toi soloit estre a honor, O vair, o gris et o baudor; Les buens vins i avoit apris, Es grans solaz de marbre bis. Se la donez a nos mesaus, Qant el verra nos bas bordeaus Et eslira l’escouellier Et l’estovra a nos couchier – Sire, en leu de tes beaus mengiers Avra de pieces, de qartiers Que l’en nos envoi, a tes hus – Por cel seignor qui maint lasus, Qant or verra la nostre cort, Adonc verra le desconfort, Donc voudroit miez morir que vivre, Donc savra bien Yseut la givre Que malement avra ovré; Mex voudroit estre arse en .i. ré.” Li rois l’entent, en piez estut Ne de grant pice ne se mut. Bien entendi que dit Ivain. Cort a Yseut, prist l’a la main. Ele crie: “Sire, merci! Ainz que m’i doignes, art moi ci!” Li rois li done et cil la prent. Des malades i ot bien cent Qui s’aünent tot entor li. Qui ot le brait, qui ot le cri! A tote genz en prent pitiez. Qui q’en ait duel, Yvains est liez. Vait s’en Yseut, Yvains l’en meine Tot droit aval par sus l’araine.

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Des autres meseaus li conplot – N’i a celui n’ait son puiot – Tot droit vont vers l’enbuschement Ou ert Tristran qui les atent. A haute voiz Governal crie: “Filz, que feras? Ves ci t’amie!” “Dex!” dist Tristran. “Quel aventure! Ahi! Yseut, bele figure, Con deüstes por moi morir Et je redui por vos perir! Tel gent vos tienent entre mains – De ce soient il toz certains: Se il n’os laisent en present, Tel i ara ferai dolent.” Fiert le destrier, du buison saut; A qant qu’il puet s’escrie en haut: “Ivains, asez l’avez menee! Laisiez la tost, qu’a cest espee Ne vos face le chief voler!” Ivains s’aqeut a desfubler; En haut s’escrit: “Or as puioz! Or i parra qui ert des noz!” Qui ces meseaus veïst soffler, Oster chapes et desfubler! Chascun li crolle sa potence, Li uns menace et l’autre tence. Tristran n’en vost rien atochier Ne entester ne laidengier. Governal est venuz au cri; En sa main tint un vert jarri Et fiert Yvain qui Yseut tient; Li sans li chiet, au pié li vient. (Bien a aidié Tristran ses mestre; Yseut saisist par la main destre.) (Li contëor dïent qu’ Yvain Firent nïer, qui sont vilain. N’en sevent mie bien l’estoire; Berous l’a mex en son memoire: Trop ert Tristran preuz et cortois A ocire gent de tes lois.)

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Tristran s’en voit a la roïne; Laisent le plain, et la gaudine S’en vet Tristran et Governal. Yseut s’esjot; or ne sent mal. En la forest de Morrois sont; La nuit jurent desor un mont. Or est Tristran si a seür Con s’il fust en chastel o mur. En Tristran out molt buen archier; Molt se sout bien de l’arc aidier. Governal en ot un toloit A un forestier, quil tenoit, Et deus seetes enpenees, Barbelees, ot l’en menees. Tristran prist l’arc; par le bois vait. Vit un chevrel, ancoche et trait. El costé destre fiert forment; Brait, saut en haut et jus decent. Tristran l’a pris; atot s’en vient. Sa loge fait; au b[ra]nt qu’il tient Les rains trenche, fait la fullie. Yseut l’a bien espés jonchie. Tristran s’asist o la roïne. Governal sot de la cuisine; De seche busche fait buen feu. Molt avoient a faire queu! Il n’avoient ne lait ne sel A cele foiz a lor ostel. La roïne ert forment lassee Por la poor qu’el ot passee; Somel la prist, dormir se vot; Sor son ami dormir se vot. Seignors, einsi sont longuement En la forest parfondement. Longuement sont en cel desert. Oiez du nain com au roi sert! Un consel sot li nains du roi, Ne[l] sot que il; par grant desroi Le descovri. Il fist que beste, Qar puis an prist li rois la teste.

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Li nains ert ivres; li baron Un jor li mistrent a raison Que ce devoit que tant parloient, Il et li rois, et conselloient. “A celer bien un suen consel Molt m’a trové toz jors feel. Bien voi que le volez oïr, Et je ne vuel ma foi mentir. Mais je merrai les trois de vos Devant le Gué Aventuros; Et iluec a .i. aube espine, Une fosse a soz la racine. Mon chief porai dedenz boter Et vos m’orrez defors parler. Ce que dirai, c’ert du segroi Dont je sui vers le roi par foi.” Li baron vienent a l’espine; Devant eus vient li nains Frocine. Li nains fu cort, la teste ot grose; Delivrement out fait la fosse. Jusq’as espaules l’i ont mis. “Or escoutez, seignor marchis! Espine, a vos, non a vasal: Marc a orelles de cheval.” Bien ont oï le nain parler. S’avint un jor aprés disner, Parlout a ses barons roi Marc; En sa main tint d’auborc un arc. A tant i sont venu li troi A qui li nains dist le secroi. Au roi dient priveement: “Rois, nos savon ton celement.” Li rois s’iraist et dist: “Ce mal, Que j’ai orelles de cheval, M’est avenu par cest devin; Certes, ja ert fait de lui fin.” Traist l’espee, le chief en prent. Molt en fu bel a mainte gent Qui haoient le nain Frocine Por Tristran et por la roïne.

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Seignors, molt avez bien oï Conment Tristran avoit salli Tot contreval par le rochier, Et Governal sor le destrier S’en fu issuz, quar il cremoit Qu’il fust ars, se Marc le tenoit. Or sont ensenble en la forest. Tristran de veneison les pest. Longuement sont en cel boschage. La ou la nuit ont herberjage, Si s’en trestornent au matin. En l’ermitage frere Ogrin Vindrent un jor par aventure. Aspre vie meinent et dure; Tant s’entraiment de bone amor, L’un por l’autre ne sent dolor. Li hermites Tristran connut. Sor sa potence apoié fu; Aresne le, oiez conment: “Sire Tristran, grant soirement A l’en juré par Cornoualle: Qui vos rendroit au roi, sanz falle Cent mars avroit a gerredon. En ceste terre n’a baron Au roi ne l’ait plevi en main Vos rendre a lui o mort ou sain.” Ogrins li dit molt bonement: “Par foi! Tristran, qui se repent Par foi et par confession, Deu du pechié li fait pardon.” TRistran li dit: “Sire, par foi! Së ele m’aime en bone foi, Vos n’entendez pas la raison: S’el m’aime, c’est par la poison. Ge ne me pus de lié partir N’ele de moi, n’en qier mentir.” Ogrins li dist: “Et quel confort Puet on doner a home mort? Assez est mort qui longuement Gist en pechié, s’il ne repent;

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Doner ne puet nus penitance A pecheor sanz repentance.” L’ermite Ogrins molt les sarmone; Du repentir consel lor done. Li hermites sovent lor dit Les profecies de l’escrit, Et molt lor amentoit souvent L’ermite lor delungement. A Tristran dist par grant desroi: “Que feras tu? Conselle toi!” “Sire, j’aim Yseut a mervelle, Si que ne dor ne ne somelle. De tot an est li consel pris: Mex aim o li estre mendis Et vivre d’erbes et de glan Q’avoir le reigne au roi Otran. De lié laisier parler ne ruis, Certes, quar faire ne le puis.” Iseut au pié l’ermite plore, Mainte color mue en poi d’ore, Molt li crie merci souvent: “Sire, por Deu omnipotent, Il ne m’aime pas ne je lui Fors par un herbé dont je bui Et il en but; ce fu pechiez. Por ce nos a li rois chaciez.” Li hermites tost li respont: “Diva! Cil Deus qui fist le mont, Il vos donst voire repentance!” Et saciez de voir, sanz dotance, Cele nuit jure[n]t chiés l’ermite; Por eus esforça molt sa vite. Au matinet s’en part Tristrans. Au bois se tient, let les plains chans. Li pain lor faut, ce est grant deus; De cers, de biches, de chevreus Ocist asez par le boscage. La ou prenent lor herbergage Font lor cuisine et lor beau feu; Sol une nuit sont en un leu.

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Seignors, oiez con por Tristran Out fait li rois crïer son ban – En Cornoualle n’a parroise Ou la novele n’en angoise – Que, qui porroit Tristran trover, Qu’il en feïst le cri lever. Qui veut oïr une aventure, Con grant chose a an noreture, Si m’escoute un sol petitet! Parler m’orez d’un buen brachet: Quens ne rois n’out tes berserez, Il ert isneaus et toz tens prez, Quar il ert baus, isneaus, non lens Et si avoit a non Husdanz. Lïez estoit an un landon. Li chiens gardoit par le donjon Q ar mis estoit a grant freor Qant il ne voiet son seignor. Ne vout mengier ne pain ne past Ne nule rien q’en li donast; Guignout et si feroit du pié, Des uiz lermant. Deus! Qel pitié Faisoit a mainte gent li chiens! Chascun disoit: “S’il estoit miens, Gel metroie du landon fors, Quar, s’il enrage, c’ert dolors. Ahi! Husdent, ja teus brachetz N’ert mais trové qui tant set prez Ne tel duel face por seignor; Beste ne fu de tel amor. Salemon dit que droituriers Que ses amis, c’ert ses levriers. A vos le poon nos prover: Vos ne volez de rien goster Pus que vostre sire fu pris. Rois, quar soit fors du landon mis!” Li rois a dit a[n] son corage – Por son seignor croit qu’il enrage – “Certes, molt a li chiens grant sens. Je ne quit mais q’en nostre tens

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En la terre de Cornouallle Ait chevalier qui Tristran valle.” De Cornoualle baron troi En ont araisoné le roi: “Sire, quar desliez Husdant! Si verron bien certainement Se il meine ceste dolor Por la pitié de son seignor; Quar ja si tost n’ert desliez Q’il ne morde, s’est enragiez, Ou autre rien, ou beste ou gent, S’avra la langue overte au vent.” Li rois apele un escuier Por Husdan faire deslier. Sor bans, sor seles puient haut, Qar li chien criement de prin saut. Tuit disoient: “Husdens enrage!” De tot ce n’avoit il corage. Tantost com il fu deslïez, Par mie les renz cort, esvelliez, Que onques n’i demora plus. De la sale s’en ist par l’us, Vint a l’ostel ou il soloit Trover Tristran. Li rois le voit, Et li autre qui aprés vont. Li chiens escrie, souvent gront, Molt par demeine grant dolor. En contré a de son seignor; Onques Tristran ne fist un pas Qant il fu pris, qu’il dut estre ars, Que li brachez nen aut aprés; Et dut chascuns devenir mes. Husdans an la chanbre s’est mis O Tristran fu traïs et pris; Si part, fait saut, voie charele Criant s’en vet vers la chapele. Li pueple vait aprés le chien. Ainz, puis qu’il fu fors du lien, Ne fina, si fu au moutier Fondé en haut sur le rochier.

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Husden li bauz, qui ne voit lenz, Par l’us en la chapele entre enz, Saut sur l’autel, ne vit son mestre, Fors s’en issi par la fenestre. Aval la roche est avalez; En la janbe s’est esgenez. A terre met le nes, si crie. A la silve du bois florie, Ou Tristran fist l’enbuschement, Un petit s’arestut Husdent; Fors s’en issi, par le bois vet. Nus ne le voit qui pitié n’ait. Au roi dient li chevalier: “Laison a seurre cest traallier; En tel leu nos porroit mener Dont griés seroit le retorner.” Laisent le chien, tornent arire. Husdens aqeut une chariere, De la rote molt s’esbaudist; Du cri au chien li bois tentist. Tristran estoit el bois aval O la reïne et Governal. La noise oient; Tristran l’entent. “Par foi!” fait il, “je oi Husdent!” Trop se criement, sont esfroï. Tristran saut sus, son arc tendi. En un’ espoise aval s’entraient; Crime ont du roi, si s’en esmaient, Dïent qu’il vient o le brachet. Ne demora c’un petitet Li brachez, qui la rote siut. Quant son seignor vit et connut, Le chief hoque, la queue crole. Qui voit con de joie se molle Dire puet que ainz ne vit tel joie. A Yseut a la crine bloie Acort, et pus a Governal; Toz fait joie, nis au cheval. Du chien out Tristran grant pitié. “Ha, Deus!” fait il, “par quel pechié

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Nos a cist berseret seü? Chien qui en bois ne se tient mu N’a mestier a home bani. El bois somes, du roi haï. Par plain, par bois, par tote terre, Dame, nos fait li rois Marc quere; S’il nos trouvout ne pooit prendre Il nos feroit ardoir ou pendre. Nos n’avon nul mestier de chien. Une chose sachiez vos bien: Se Husdens avé nos remaint, Poor nos fera et duel maint. Asez est mex qu’il soit ocis Que nos soion par son cri pris. Et poise m’en, por sa franchise, Que il la mort a ici quise. Grant nature li faisoit fere; Mais conment m’en pus je retraire? Certes, ce poise moi molt fort Que je li doi doner la mort. Or m’en aidiez a consellier; De nos garder avon mestier.” Yseut li dist: “Sire, merci! Li chiens sa beste prent au cri, Que par nature, que par us. J’oï ja dire qu’un seüs Avoit uns forestiers galois (Ainz que Artus en fu fait rois) Que il avoit si afaitié: Qant il avoit son cerf sagnié De la seete berserece, Puis ne fuïst par cele trace Que li chiens ne suïst le saut; Por crïer n’estornast le gaut Ne ja n’atainsist tant sa beste Ja criast ne feïst moleste. Amis Tristran, grant joie fust, Por metre peine qui peüst Faire Hudent le cri laisier, Sa beste ataindre et chacier.”

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Tristran s’estut et escouta. Pitié l’en prist; un poi pensa, Puis dist itant: “Se je pooie Husdent par paine metre en voie Que il laisast cri por silence, Molt l’avroie a grant reverence. Et a ce metrai je ma paine Ainz que ja past ceste semaine. Pesera moi se je l’oci; Et je criem molt du chien le cri, Quar je porroie en tel leu estre O vos ou Governal, mon mestre, Se il criout, feroit nos prendre. Or vuel peine metre et entendre A beste prendre sanz crïer.” Or voit Tristran en bois berser. Afaitiez fu, a un dain trait; Li sans en chiet, li brachez brait, Li dains navrez s’en fuit le saut, Husdent li bauz en crie en haut; Li bois du cri au chien resone. Tristran le fiert, grant cop li done. Li chiens a son seignor s’areste, Lait le crïer, gerpist la beste. Haut l’esgarde, ne set qu’il face; N’ose crïer, gerpist la trace. Tristran le chien desoz lui bote, O l’estortore bat la rote, Et Husdenz en revot crïer. Tristran l’aqeut a doutriner. Ainz que li premier mois pasast Fu si le chien dontez u gast Que sanz crïer suiet sa trace. Sor noif, sor herbe ne sor glace N’ira sa beste ja laschant, Tant n’iert isnele et remuant. Or lor a grant mestier li chiens; A mervelles lor fait grans biens. S’il prent el bois chevrel ne dai[n]s, Bien l’enbusche, cuevre de rains;

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Et s’il enmi lande l’ataint – Con il s’avient en i prent maint – De l’erbe gete asez desor; Arire torne a son seignor, La le maine ou sa beste a prise. Molt sont li chien de grant servise! Seignors, molt fu el bois Tristrans, Molt i out paines et ahans. En un leu n’ose remanoir; Dont lieve au main ne gist au soir; Bien set que li rois le fait querre Et que li bans est en sa terre Por lui prendre, quil troveroit. Molt sont el bois del pain destroit; De char vivent, el ne mengüent. Que puent il, se color müent? Lor dras ronpent, rains les decirent. Longuement par Morrois fuïrent. Chascun d’eux soffre paine elgal, Mais l’un por l’autre ne sent mal. Grant poor a Yseut la gente Tristran por lié ne se repente; Et a Tristran repoise fort Que Yseut a por lui descort, Qu’el repente de la folie. Uns de ces trois – que Deus maudie! – Par qui il furent descovert, Oiez conment par un jor sert! Riches hom ert, et de grant bruit; Les chiens amoit por son deduit. De Cornoualle li naïf De Morrois erent si eschif Qu’il n’i osout uns sos entrer. Bien lor faisoit a redouter; Quar, se Tristran les peüst prendre, Il les feïst as arbres pendre; Bien devoient donques laisier. Un jor estoit o son destrier Governal sos a un doitil Qui decendoit d’un fontenil.

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Au cheval out osté la sele; De l’erbete paisoit novele. Tristran gesoit en su fullie; Estroitement ot enbrachi La roïne, por qu’il estoit Mis en tel paine, en tel destroit. Endormi erent amedoi. Governal ert en un esquoi; Chiens a oï par aventure; Un cerf chacent grant aleüre. (C’erent li chien a un des trois Por qui consel estoit li rois Meslez ensenble la roïne.) Li chien chacent, li cerf ravine. Governal vi[n]t une charire En une lande; luin arire Vit cel venir que il bien set Que ses sires onques plus het, Tot solement sanz escuier. Des esperons a son destrier A tant doné que il le cache, Sovent el col fiert o sa mache. Li chevaus ceste sor un marbre. Governal s’acoste a un arbre; Enbuschiez est, celui atent Qui trop vient tost et fuira lent. Nus retorner ne puet Fortune; Ne se gaitoit de la rancune Que il avoit a Tristran fait. Cil qui desoz l’arbre s’estait Vit le venir, hardi l’atent; Dit: meus veut estre mis au vent Que il de lui n’ait la venjance, Qar par lui et par sa faisance Durent il estre tuit destruit. Li chien le cerf sivent, qui fuit; Li vasaus aprés les chiens vait. Governal saut de sen agait. Du mal que cil ot fait li menbre; A s’espee tot le desmenbre,

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Le chief en prent, atot s’en vet. Li veneor, qui l’ont parfait, Sivoient le cerf esmeü; De lor seignor virent le bu, Sanz la teste, soz l’arbre jus. Qui plus tost cort, cil s’en fuit plus; Bien quident ce ait fait Tristran, Dont li rois fist faire le ban. Par Cornoualle ont antendu: L’un des trois a le chief perdu, Qui meslot Tristran o le roi. Poor en ont tuit et esfroi; Puis ont en pes le bois laisié, N’out pus el bois sovent chacié. Des cel ore qu’en bois entroit, Fust por chacier, chascuns dotoit Que Tristran li preuz l’encontrast; Crient fu u plain et plus u gast. Tristran se jut a la fullie; Chaut tens faisoit, si fu jonchie. Endormiz ert, ne savoit mie Que cil eüst perdu la vie Par qui il dut mort recevoir; Liez ert quant en savra le voir. Governal a la loge vient, La teste au mort a sa main tient; A la forche de la ramee L’a cil par les cheveus nouee. Tristran s’esvelle, vit la teste, Saut esfreez, sor piez s’areste. A haute voiz crie ses mestre: “Ne vos movez! Seürs puez estre; A ceste espee l’ai ocis. Saciez, cist ert vostre anemis.” Liez ert Tristran de ce qu’il ot: Cil est ocis qu’il plus dotot. Poor ont tuit par la contree; La forest est si esfree Que nus n’i ose ester dedenz; Or ont le bois a lor talent.

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La ou il erent en cel gaut Trova Tristran l’arc qui ne faut. En tel maniere el bois le fist: Rien ne trove qu’il n’oceïst. Se par le bois vait cerf ne dains, Se il atouchë a ces rains Ou cil arc est mis et tenduz, Se haut hurte, haut est feruz, Et se il hurte a l’arc au bas, Bas est feruz eneslepas. Tristran par droit et par raison, Qant ot fait l’arc, li mist cel non. Molt a buen non l’arc, qui ne faut Rien que il fire, bas ne haut. Et molt lor out pus grant mestier; De maint grant cerf lor fist mengier. Mestier ert que la sauvagine Lor aïdast en la gaudine, Qar failliz lor estoit li pains N’il n’osoient issir as plains. (Longuement furent en dechaz; Mervelles fu de buen porchaz: De venoison ont grant plenté). Seignor, ce fu un jor d’esté, En icel tens que l’en aoste, Un poi aprés la Pentecoste. Par un matin, a la rousee, Li oisel chantent l’ainzjornee; Tristran, de la loge ou il gist, Çaint’ s’espee, tot sol s’en ist. L’arc qui ne faut vet regarder; Parmi le bois ala berser. (Ainz qu’il n’en ist, fu en tel paine; Fu ainz mais gent tant eüst paine? Mais l’un por l’autre ne le sent; Bien orent lor aaisement. Ainz puis le tens que el bois furent Deus genz itant de tel ne burent; Ne, si conme l’estoire dit, La ou Berous le vit escrit,

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Nule gent tant ne s’entramerent Ne si griment nu conpererent.) La roïne contre lui live. Li chauz fu grant, qui molt les grive. Tristran l’acole et il dit ce: “. . . . . . . . . .” “Amis, ou avez vos esté?” “Aprés un cerf qui m’a lassé; Tant l’ai chacié que tot m’en duel. Somel m’est pris; dormir me vel.” La loge fu de vers rains faite; De leus en leus ot fuelle atraite, Et par terre fu bien jonchie. Yseut fu premire couchie; Tristran se couche et trait s’espee, Entre les deus chars l’a posee. Sa chemise out Yseut vestue – Se ele fust icel jor nue, Mervelles lor fust mescheoit – Et Tristran ses braies ravoit. La roïne avoit en son doi L’anel d’or des noces le roi, O esmeraudes planteïz. Mervelles fu li dois gresliz; A poi que li aneaus n’en chiet. Oez com il se sont couchiez: De soz le col Tristran a mis Son braz, et l’autre, ce m’est vis, Li out par dedesus geté. Estroitement l’ot acolé Et il la rot de ses braz çainte. Lor amistié ne fu pas fainte. Les bouches furent pres asises, Et neporquant si ot devises, Que n’asenbloient pas ensenble. Vent ne cort ne fuelle ne trenble. Uns rais decent desor la face Yseut, que plus reluist que glace. Eisi s’endorment li amant; Ne pensent mal ne tant ne quant.

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N’avoit qu’eus deus en cel païs, Quar Governal, ce m’est avis, S’en ert alez o le destrier Aval el bois au forestier. Oez, seignor, quel aventure! Tant lor dut estre pesme et dure. Par le bois vint uns forestiers Qui avoit trové lor fulliers Ou il erent el bois geü; Tant a par le fuellier seü Qu’il fu venuz a la ramee Ou Tristran out fait s’aünee. Vit les dormanz, bien les connut. Li sans li fuit, esmarriz fut. Molt s’en vet tost, quar se doutoit; Bien sot, se Tristran s’esvellot, Que ja n’i metroit autre ostage Fors la teste lairoit en gage. Se il s’en fuit, n’est pas mervelle; Du bois s’en ist, cort a mervelle. Tristran avoc s’amie dort; (Par poi qu’il ne reçurent mort.) En cel endroit ou il dormoient, A deus bones liues estoient De lau li rois tenet sa cort. Li forestier grant erre acort, Qar bien avoit oï le ban Que l’en avoit fait de Tristran: Cil qui au roi en diroit voir Asez aroit de son avoir. Li forestier bien le savoit; Por c’acort il a tel esploit. Et li rois Marc en son palais O ses barons tenoit ses plaiz. Des barons ert plaine la sale. Li forestier du mont avale Et s’en est entré; molt vait tost. Pensez que onc arester s’ost Desi que il vint as degrez De la sale. Sus est montez.

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Li rois le voit venir grant erre; Son forestier apele en erre: “Soiz noveles, que si toz viens? Ome senbles qui core a chiens, Qui chast sa beste por ataindre. Veux tu a cort de nullui plaindre? Tu senbles hom qui ait besoin, Qui ça me soit tramis de loin. Se tu veux rien, di ton mesage. A toi nus hon veé son gage Ou chacié fors de ma forest?” “Escoute moi, roi, se toi plest Et si m’entent un sol petit. Par cest païs a l’on banit: Qui ton nevo porroit trover, Q’ançois s’osast laisier crever Qu’il nu preïst ou venist dire. Ge l’ai trové, s’en criem vostre ire; Se gel t’ensein, dorras moi mort? Je te merrai la ou il dort, Et la roïne ensenble o lui. Gel vi, poi a, ensenble o lui; Fermement erent endormi. Grant poor oi quant la les vi.” Li rois l’entent, boufe et sospire; Esfreez est, forment s’aïre. Au forestier dist es conselle Priveement dedenz l’orelle: “En quel endroit sont il, di moi?” “En une loge de Morroi Dorment estroitet enbrachiez. Vien tost! Ja seron d’eus vengiez. Rois, s’or n’en prens aspre venjance, N’as droit en terre, sanz doutance.” Li rois li dist: “Is t’en la fors. Si chier conme tu as ton cors, Ne dire a nul ce que tu sez, Tant soit estrange ne privez. A la Croiz Roge, as chemins fors, Lau on enfuet sovent les cors;

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Ne te movoir, iluec m’atent. Tant te dorrai or et argent Con tu voudras, jel afi toi.” Li forestier se part du roi; A la croiz vient, iluec s’asiet. (Male gote les eulz li criet, Qui tant voloit Tristran destruire! Mex li venist son cors conduire, Qar puis morut a si grant honte Con vos orrez avant el conte.) Li rois est en la chanbre entrez; A soi manda toz ses privez, Pus lor voia et defendi Qu’il ne soient ja si hardi Qu’il allent aprés lui plain pas. Chascun li dist: “Rois, est ce gas, A aler vos sous nule part? Ainz ne fu rois qui n’ait regart. Qel novele avez vos oïe? Ne vos movez por dit d’espie.” Li rois respont: “Ne sai novele, Mais mandé m’a une pucele Que j’alle tost a lié parler; Bien me mande n’i moigne per. G’irai tot seus sor mon destrier; Ne merrai per ne escuier. A ceste foiz irai sanz vos.” Il responent: “Ce poise nos. Chatons conmanda a son filz A eschiver les leus soutiz.” Il respont: “Je le sai assez. Laisiez moi faire auques mes sez.” Li rois a fait sa sele metre. S’espee çaint. Sovent regrete A lui tot sol la cuvertise Que Tristran fist quant il l’ot prisse, Yseut la bele o le cler vis, O qui s’en est alé fuitis. S’il les trove (molt les menace), Ne laira pas ne lor mesface.

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Molt est li rois acoragiez De destruire; c’est granz pechiez. De la cité s’en est issuz Et dist mex veut estre penduz Qu’il ne prenge de ceus venjance Qui li ont fait tel avilance. A la croiz vint, ou cil l’atent; Dist li qu’il aut isnelement Et qu’il le meint la droite voie. Al bois entrent, qui molt onbroie. Devant le roi se met l’espie; Li rois le sieut, qui bien s’i fie En l’espee que il a çainte, Dont a doné colee mainte. (Si fait il trop que sorquidez, Quar se Tristran fust esvelliez Li niés o l’oncle se meslast; Li uns morust ainz ne finast.) Au forestier dist li rois Mars Qu’il li dorroit d’argent vint mars Sel menoit tost a son forfet. Li forestier (qui vergonde ait!) Dist que pres sont de lor besoigne. Du buen cheval, né de Gascoigne, Fait l’espie le roi decendre, De l’autre part cort l’estrier prendre. A la branche d’un vert pomier La reigne lie du destrier. Poi vont avant quant ont veü La loge por qu’il sont meü. Li rois deslace son mantel, Dont a fin or sont li tasel; Desfublez fu, molt out gent cors. Du fuerre trait l’espee fors. Iriez s’en torne, sovent dit Q’or veut morir s’il nes ocit. L’espee nue, an la loge entre. Li forestiers s’en vet soventre; Grant erre aprés le roi acort. Li rois li çoine qu’il retort.

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Li rois en haut le cop leva; Ire le fait, si tressua. Ja decendist li cop sor eus Ses oceïst (ce fust grant deus!) Qant vit qu’ele avoit sa chemise Et q’entre eus deux avoit devise, La bouche o l’autre n’ert jostee, Et qant il vit la nue espee Qui entre eus deus les desevrot, Vit les braies que Tristran out – “Deus!” dist li rois, “ce que puet estre? Or ai veü tant de lor estre, Deus! je ne sai que doie faire, Ou de l’ocire ou du retraire. Ci so[n]t el bois bien a lonc tens; Bien puis croire, se je ai sens, Se il s’amasent folement Ja n’i eüsent vestement, Entrë eus deus n’eüst espee; Autrement fust cest asenblee. Corage avoie d’eus ocire; Nes tocherai, retrairai m’ire. De fole amor corage n’ont; N’en ferrai nul. Endormi sont; Se par moi eirent atouchié, Trop par feroie grant pechié. Et se g’esvel cest endormi Et il m’ocit ou j’oci lui, Ce sera laide reparlance. Je lor ferai tel demostrance Que des que il s’esvelleront, Certainement savoir porront Qu’il furent endormi trové Et q’en a eü d’eus pité, Que je nes vuel noient ocire, Ne moi ne gent de mon enpire. Ge voi el doi a la reïne L’anel o pierre esmeraudine Que li donnai, molt par est buens; Et g’en rai un qui refu suens.

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Osterai li le mien du doi. Uns ganz de vair rai je o moi, Qu’el aporta o soi d’Irlande; Le rai qui sor la face brande – Qui li fait chaut – en vuel covrir. Et qant vendra au departir, Prendrai l’espee d’entre eus deux, Dont au Morhot fu le chief blos.” Li rois a deslié les ganz; Vit ensenble les deus dormanz. Le rai qui sor Yseut decent Covre des ganz molt bonement. L’anel du doi defors parut; Souef le traist, qu’il ne se mut. (Primes i entra il enviz; Or avoit tant les doiz gresliz Qu’il s’en issi sanz force fere. Molt l’en sot bien li rois fors traire.) L’espee qui entre eus deus est Souef oste, la soue i met. De la loge s’en issi fors; Vint au destrier, saut sor le dos. Au forestier dist qu’il s’en fuie, Son cors trestort si se conduie. Vet s’en li rois, dormant les let; A cele foiz n’i a plus fait. Reperiez est a sa cité. De plusorz parz out demandé Ou a esté et ou tant fut. Li rois lor ment, pas n’i connut Ou il ala ne que il quist Ne de faisance que il fist. Mais or oiez des endormiz Que li rois out el bois gerpiz! Avis estoit a la roïne Qu’ele ert en une grant gaudine, Dedenz un riche pavellon. A li venoient dui lion Qui la voloient devorer; Et lor voloit merci crier,

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Mais li lion, destroiz de fain, Chascun la prenoit par la main. De l’esfroi que Iseut en a Geta un cri, si s’esvella. Li gant, paré de blanc hermine, Li sont choiet sor la poitrine. Tristran, du cri qu’il ot, s’esvelle. Tote la face avoit vermelle. Esfreez est, saut sus ses piez, L’espee prent com home iriez; Regarde, el brant l’osche ne voit. Vit le pont d’or qui sus estoit; Connut que c’est l’espee au roi. La roïne vit en son doi L’anel que li avoit doné; Le suen revit du doi osté. Ele cria: “Sire, merci! Li rois nos a trovez ici!” Il li respont: “Dame, c’est voirs. Or nos covient gerpir Morrois, Qar molt li par somes mesfait. M’espee a, la soue me lait; Bien nos peüst avoir ocis!” “Sire, voire, ce m’est avis.” “Bele, or n’i a fors du fuir. Il nos laissa por nos traïr; Seus ert, si est alé por gent; Prendre nos quide, voirement. Dame, fuion nos envers Gales! Li sanc me fuit.” Tot devient pales. Atant es vos lor escuier, Qui s’en venoit o le destrier; Vit son seignor pales estoit, Demande li que il avoit. “Par foi, mestre, Marc li gentis Nos a trovez ci endormis. S’espee lait, la moie en porte; Felonie criem qu’il anorte. Du doi Yseut l’anel, le buen, En a porté, si lait le suen.

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Par cest change poon parçoivre, Mestre, que il nos veut deçoivre, Quar il ert seus; quant nos trova Poor li prist, si s’en torna. Por gent s’en est alé arrire, Dont il a trop et baude et fire; Ses amerra, destruire veut Et moi et la roïne Yseut. Voiant le pueple nos veut prendre, Faire ardoir et venter la cendre. Fuion! N’avon que demorer.” N’avet en eus quë esfreer. S’il ont poor, n’en puent mais; Li rois sevent fel et engrés. Torné s’en sont bone aleüre; Li roi doutent por l’aventure. Morrois trespasent, si s’en vont; Grans jornees par poor font. Droit vers Gales s’en sont alé. (Molt les a ja amors pené; Trois anz plainiers sofrirent peine, Lor char pali et devint vaine.) Seignors, du vin de qoi il burent Avez oï, por qoi il furent En si grant paine lonc tens mis; Mais ne savez, ce m’est avis, A conbien fu determinez Li lovendri[n]s, li vins herbez. La mere Yseut, qui le bolli[t], A trois anz d’amistié le fist. Por Marc le fist et por sa fille; Autre en pruva, qui s’en essille. Tant con durerent li troi an Out li vins si soupris Tristran Et la roïne ensenble o lui Que chascun disoit: “Las n’en sui.” L’endemain de la saint Jehan Aconpli furent li troi an Que cil vins fu determinez. Tristran fu de son lit levez;

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Iseut remest en sa fullie. Tristran, sachiez, une doitie A un cerf trait qu’il out visé; Par les flans l’a outre brisé. Fuit s’en li cerf, Tristran l’aqeut; Que soirs fu plains, tant le porseut. La ou il cort aprés la beste, L’ore revient, et il s’areste, Qu’il ot beü le lovendrant. A lui seus senpres se repent: “Ha! Deus!” fait il, “tant ai traval! Trois anz a hui, que riens n’i fal, Onques ne me falli pus paine Ne a foirié n’en sorsemaine. Oublié ai chevalerie, A seure cort et baronie; Ge sui essillié du païs, Tot m’est falli et vair et gris, Ne sui a cort a chevaliers. Deus! Tant m’amast mes oncles chiers Se tant ne fuse a lui mesfez! Ha, Deus! Tant foiblement me vet! OR deüse estre a cort a roi, Et cent danzeaus avoques moi Qui servisent por armes prendre Et a moi lor servise rendre. Aler deüse en autre terre Soudoier et soudees querre. Et poise moi de la roïne, Qui je doins loge por cortine. En bois est, et si peüst estre En beles chanbres, o son estre, Portendues de dras de soie; Por moi a prise male voie. A Deu, qui est sire du mont, Cri ge merci, que il me donst Itel corage que je lais A mon oncle sa feme en pais. A Deu vo je que jel feroie Molt volontiers, se je pooie,

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Si que Yseut fust acordee O le roi Marc, qui’st esposee, Las! si qel virent maint riche ome Au fuer q’en dit la loi de Rome.” Tristran s’apuie sor son arc; Sovent regrete le roi Marc. Son oncle, qui a fait tel tort, Sa feme mise a tel descort. Tristran au soir se dementoit. Oiez d’Iseut con li estoit! Sovent disoit: “Lasse! dolente! Por qoi eüstes vos jovente? En bois estes com autre serve; Petit trovez qui ci vos serve. Je sui roïne, mais le non En ai perdu par ma poison Que nos beümes en la mer. Ce fist Brengain, qu’i dut garder. Lasse! se male garde en fist! (El n’en pout mais, se trop mesprist.) Les damoiseles des anors, Les filles as frans vavasors Deüse ensenble o moi tenir En mes chanbres por moi servir, Et les deüse marier Et as seignors por bien doner. Amis Tristran, en grant error Nos mist qui le boivre d’amor Nos aporta ensenble a boivre. Meus ne nos pout el pas deçoivre.” Tristran li dist: “Roïne gente, En mal uson nostre jovente. Bele amie, se je peüse, Par consel que je en eüse, Faire au roi Marc acordeme[n]t Qu’il pardonnast son mautalent Et qu’il preïst nostre escondit C’onques nul jor, n’en fait n’en dit, N’oi o vos point de druerie Qui li tornast a vilanie,

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N’a chevalier en son roiaume, Ne de Lidan tres qu’en Dureaume, S’il voloit dire que amor Eüse o vos por deshonor, Ne m’en trovast en champ, armé. Et s’il avait en volenté, Qant vos avroie desresnie, Qu’il me soufrist de sa mesnie, Gel serviroie a grant honor Conme mon oncle et mon seignor; N’avroit soudoier en sa terre Qui meus le servist de sa gerre. Et s’il estoit a son plesir Vos a prendre et moi degerpir, Qu’il n’eüst soin de mon servise, Ge m’en iroie au roi de Frise Ou m’en passeroie en Bretaigne O Governal sanz plus conpaigne. Roïne franche, ou que je soie, Vostre toz jors me clameroie. Ne vosise la departie S’estre peüst la conpaignie, Ne fust, bele, la grant soufraite Que vos soufrez et avez faite Tozdis por moi par desertine. Por moi perdez non de roïne. Estre peüses a anor, En tes chanbres o ton seignor, Ne fust, dame, li vins herbez Qui a la mer nos fu donnez. Yseut, franche, gente façon, Conselle moi que nos feron!” “Sire, Jesu soit graciez Qant degerpir volez pechiez! Amis, menbre vos de l’ermite Ogrin, qui de la loi escrite Nos precha et tant nos dist, Quant tornasmes a son abit, Qui est el chief de cel boschage! Beaus amis douz, se or corage

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Vos est venuz de repentir, Ja ne peüst meus avenir. Sire, corons a lui ariere! De ce sui tote fianciere: Consel nos doroit honorable Par qu’a la joie pardurable Porron ancore bien venir.” Tristran l’entent, fist un soupir Et dist: “Roïne de parage, Tornon arire a l’ermitage! Encor enuit ou le matin, O le consel de maistre Ogrin, Mandon au roi nostre talent Par briés, sanz autre mandement.” “Amis Tristran, molt dites bien. Au riche roi celestïen Puison andui crïer merci, Qu’il ait de nos, Tristran, ami!” Arrire tornent el boschage; Tant ont erré qu’a l’ermitage Vindrent ensenble li amant. L’ermite Ogrin trovent lisant. Qant il les vit, bel les apele; Assis se sont en la chapele. “Gent dechacie, a con grant paine Amors par force vos demeine! Conbien durra vostre folie? Trop avez mené ceste vie. Et, queles! Quar vos repentez!” Tristran li dist: “Or escoutez! Se longuement l’avon menee, Itel fu nostre destinee. Trois anz a bien, que riens n’i fal, Onques ne nos falli traval. S’or poions consel trover De la roïne racorder, Je ne querrai ja plus nul jor Estre o le roi Marc a seignor, Ainz m’en irai ançois un mois En Bretaigne ou en Loenois.

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Et se mes oncles veut soufrir Moi a sa cort por lui servir, Gel servirai si con je doi. Sire, mon oncle est riche roi ............ Le mellor consel nos donnez, Por Deu, sire, de ce qu’oez Et nos feron vos volentez.” Seignors, oiez de la roïne: As piez l’ermite chiet encline; De lui proier point ne se faint Qu’il les acort au roi, si plaint: “Qar ja corage de folie Nen avrai ja jor de ma vie. Ge ne di pas, a vostre entente, Que de Tristran jor me repente, Que je ne l’aim de bone amor Et com amis sanz desanor; De la comune de mon cors Et je du suen somes tuit fors.” L’ermites l’ot parler, si plore; De ce qu’il ot Deu en aoure: “Ha, Deus! Beaus rois omnipotent, Graces par mon buen cuer vos rent Qui vivre tant m’avez laisiez Que ces deus genz de lor pechiez A moi en vindrent consel prendre. Grans grez vos en puise je rendre! Ge jur ma creance et ma loi, Buen consel averez de moi. Tristran, entent moi un petit Qui es venuz a mon habit, Et vos, roïne, a ma parole Entendez, ne soiez pas fole. Qant home et feme font pechié, S’anz ce sont pris et sont quitié Et s’aus vienent a penitance Et aient bone repentance, Deus lor pardone lor mesfait, Tant ne seroit orible et lait.

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Tristran, roïne, or escoutez Un petitet, si m’entendez: Por honte oster et mal covrir Doit on un poi par bel mentir. Qant vos consel m’avez requis, Gel vos dorrai sanz terme mis. En parchemin prendrai un brief; Saluz avra el premier chief. A Lancïen le trametez; Le roi par bien salu mandez: En bois estez o la roïne, Mais s’il voloit de lui saisine Et pardonast son mautalent, Vos feriez por lui itant: Vos en iriez a sa cort; N’i avroit sage ne lort, S’il veut dire qu’e[n] vilanie Eüsiez prise drüerie, Si vos face li rois Marc pendre Se vos ne vos poez defendre. Tristran, por ce t’os bien loer: Que ja n’i troveras ton per Qui gage doinst encontre toi. Icest consel te doin par foi. Ce ne puet il metre en descort: Qant il vos vout liv[r]er a mort Et en feu ardoir par le nain – Cortois le virent et vilain – Il ne voloit escouter plait. Qant Deus vos an ot merci fait Que d’iluec fustes eschapez, Si com il est oï assez, Que, se ne fust la Deu vigor, Destruit fusiez a deshonor – Tel saut feïstes qu’il n’a home De Costentin entresqu’a Rome Se il le voit, n’en ait hisdor – Iluec fuïstes par poor. Vos rescosistes la roïne, S’avez esté pus en gaudine.

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De sa terre vos l’amenastes; Par mariage li donastes – Tot ce fu fait, il le set bien – Nocie fu a Lencïen. Mal vos estoit lié a fallir; O lié vosistes mex fuir. S’il veut prendre vostre escondit Si qel verront grant et petit, Vos li offrez a sa cort faire; Et se lui venoit a viaire Que vos fuissiez a lui loiaus, Au loement de ses vasaus Preïst sa feme, la cortoise. Et, se savez que lui n’en poise, O lui serez ses soudoiers; Servirez le molt volentiers. Et s’il ne veut vostre service, Vos passerez la mer de Frise, Iroiz servir un autre roi. Tex ert li brief.” “Et je l’otroi. Tant ait plus [mis, beaus] sire Ogrin, Vostre merci, el parchemin: Que je ne m’os en moi fier; De moi a fait un ban crier. Mais je li prie com a seignor Que je molt aim par bone amor, Un autre brief reface faire S’i face escrire tot son plaire. A la Croiz Roge, a[n]mi la lande, Pende le brief, si le conmande. Ne li os mander ou je sui; Ge criem qu’il ne me face ennui. Ge[l] crerai bien, qant je l’avrai, Le brief; qant qu’il voudra ferai. Maistre, mon brief set seelé; En la queue escriroiz: Vale! A ceste foiz je n’i sai plus.” Ogrins l’ermite lieve sus; Pene et enque et parchemin prist, Totes ces paroles i mist.

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Qant il out fait, prist un anel; La pierre passot el seel. Seelé est, Tristran le tent; Il le reçut molt bonement. “Quil portera?” dist li hermites. “Jel porterai.” “Tristan, nu dites!” “Certes, sire, si ferai bien; Bien sai l’estre de Lancïen. Beau sire Ogrin, vostre merci, La roïne remaindra ci; Et anevois, en tens oscur, Qant li rois dormira seür, Ge monterai sor mon destrier. O moi merrai mon escuier. Defors la vile a un pendant, La decendrai, s’irai avant. Mon cheval gardera mon mestre; Mellor ne vit ne lais ne prestre.” La nuit, aprés solel couchier, Qant li tens prist a espoisier, Tristran s’entorne avoc son mestre. Bien sot tot le païs et l’estre; A Lancïen, a la cité, En sont venu, tant ont erré. Il decent jus, entre en la vile; Les gaites cornent a merville. Par le fossé dedenz avale Et vint errant tresque en la sale. Molt par est mis Tristran en fort; A la fenestre ou li rois dort En est venu, souef l’apele – N’avoit son de crïer harele. Li rois s’esvelle et dit adés: “Qui es, qui a tel eure ves? As tu besoin? Di moi ton non.” “Sire, Tristran m’apele l’on. Un brief aport, sil met ci jus Al fenestrier de cest enclus. Longuement n’os a vos parler. Le brief vos lais; n’os plus ester.”

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Tristran s’entorne. Li rois saut; Par trois foiz l’apele en haut: “Por Deu, beaus niés, ton oncle atent!” Li rois le brief a sa main prent. Tristran s’en vet, plus n’i remaint, De soi conduire ne se faint; Vient a son mestre, qui l’atent, El destrier saut legierement. Governal dist: “Fol, quar esploites! Alon nos en les destoletes!” Tant ont erré par le boschage Q’au jor vindre[n]t a l’ermitage. Enz sont entré. Ogri[n]s prioit Au roi celestre quant qu’il pooit, Tristran defende d’enconbrier Et Governal, son escuier. Qant il les vit, es le vos lié! Son criator a gracié. D’Iseut n’estuet pas demander S’ele out poor d’eus encontrer. Ainz pus li soir qu’il en issirent Tresque l’ermite et el les virent, N’out les eulz essuiez de lermes. Molt par li senble lons cist termes. Qant el les vit venir, lor prie . . . Quë il i fist, ne fu pas fole. “Amis, di moi, se Deus t’anort, Fus tu donc pus a la roi cort?” Tristran lor a tot reconté: Conment il fu a la cité Et conment o le roi parla, Coment li rois le rapela, Et du bries que il a gerpi Et con li rois trova l’escrit. “Deus,” dist Ogrins, “graces te rent! Tristrans, sachiez, asez briement Orez noveles du roi Marc.” Tristran decent, met jus son arc. Or sejornent a l’ermitage. Lirois esvelle son barnage.

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Primes manda le chapelain; Le bries li tent qu’a en la main. Cil fraint la cire et lut le brief. Le roi choisi el premier chief, A qui Tristran mandoit saluz. Les moz a tost toz conneüz; Au roi a dit le mandement. Li rois l’escoute bonement. A grant mervelle s’en esjot, Qar sa feme forment amot. Li rois esvelle ses barons; Les plus proisiez mande par nons. Et qant il furent tuit venu Li rois parla, il sont teü. “Seignors, un brief m’est ci tramis. Rois sui sor vos, vos mi marchis. Li briés soit liez et soit oïz; Et, qant liz sera li escriz, Conselliez m’en, jel vos requier; Vos m’en devez bien consellier.” Dinas s’en est levé premierz; Dist a ses pers: “Seignors, oiez! S’or oiez que ne die bien, Ne m’en creez de nule rien! Qui mex savra dire, si die; Face le bien, lest la folie! Li brief nos est ici tramis, Nos ne savon de qel païs. Soit liz li briés premierement Et pus, solonc le mandement, Qui buen consel savra doner, Sel nos doinst. Nel quier celer: Qui son droit seignor mesconselle Ne puet faire greignor mervelle.” Au roi dient Corneualois: “Dinas a dit trop que cortois. Dan chapelain, lisiez le brief, Oiant nos toz, de chief en chief.” Levez s’en est li chapelains; Le brief deslie a ses deus mains.

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En piez estut devant le roi. “Or escoutez, entendez moi! Tristran, li niés nostre seignor, Saluz mande prime et amor Au roi et a tot son barnage. ‘Rois, tu sez bien le marriage De la fille le roi d’Irlande. Par mer en fui jusque en Horlande; Par ma proece la conquis, Le grant serpent cresté ocis, Par qoi ele me fu donee. Amenai l’a en ta contree. Rois, tu la pris a mollier Si quel virent ti chevalier. N’eüs gaires o li esté Quant losengier en ton reigné Te firent acroire mençonge. Ge sui tot prest que gage en donge Qui li voudroit blasme lever, Lié alegier contre mon per, Beau sire, a pié ou a cheval – Chascuns ait armes et cheval – Qu’onques amor nen out vers moi Ne je vers li par nul desroi. Se je ne l’en puis alegier Et en ta cort moi deraisnier, Ardre me fai devant ton ost. N’i a baron que je t’en ost. N’i a baron, por moi plaisier, Ne me face ardre ou depecier. Vos savez bien, beaus oncles, sire, Vos nos vosistes ardre en ire; Mais a Deu en prist grant pitié S’en aorames Damledé. La roïne par aventure En eschapa. Ce fu droiture, Se Deus me saut! Qar a grant tort Li voliez doner la mort. G’en eschapai, si fis un saut Contreval un rocher molt haut.

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Lors fu donnee la roïne As malades en decepline; Ge l’en portai, si li toli. Puis ai toz tens o li fui. Ne li devoie pas fallir Qant a tort dut por moi morir. Puis ai esté o lié par bos, Que je n’estoie pas tant os Que je m’osase a[n] plain mostrer. ............ A prendre nos et a vos rendre. Feïsiez nos ardoir ou pendre; Por ce nos estovoit fuïr. Mais, s’or estoit vostre plesir A prendre Yseut o le cler vis, N’avroit baron en cest païs Plus vos servist que je feroie. Se l’en vos met en autre voie, Que ne vuelliez le mien servise, Ge m’en irai au roi de Frise. Passerai m’en outre la mer; Jamais n’oras de moi parler; De ce qu’oiez, roi, pren consel. Ne puis mes soufrir tel trepel; Ou je m’acorderai a toi Ou g’en merrai la fille au roi En Irlande, ou je la pris. Roïnë ert de son païs.’” Li chapelains a au roi dit: “Sire, n’a plus en cest escrit.” Li baron oient la demande, Que por la fille au roi d’Irlande Offre Tristran vers eus batalle. N’i a baron de Cornoualle Ne die: “Rois, ta feme pren! Onques cil n’orent nul jor sen Qui ce distrent de la roïne, Dont la parole est ci oïe. Ne te sai pas consel doner Tristran remaigne deça mer;

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Au riche roi aut, en Gavoie, A qui li roiz escoz gerroie. Si se porra la contenir, Et tant porrez de lui oïr, Vos manderez por lui, qu’il vienge; Ne savon el qel voie tienge. Mandez par brief que la roïne Vos ameint ci a brief termine.” Li rois son chapelain apele: “Soit fait cist brif o main isnele. Oï avez que i metroiz. Hastez le brief; molt sui destroiz, Molt a ne vi Yseut la gente. Trop a mal trait en sa jovente. Et quant li brief ert seelez, A la Croiz Roge le pendez; Ancor enuit i soit penduz. Escrivez i par moi saluz.” Quant l’ot li chapelain escrit, A la Croiz Roge le pendit. Tristran ne dormi pas la nuit; Ainz que venist la mie nuit La Blanche Lande out traversee; La chartre porte seelee. (Bien sout l’estre de Cornoalle.) Vient a Ogrin; il la li balle. Li hermite la chartre a prise, Lut les letres, vit la franchise Du roi, qui pardonne a Yseut Son mautalent, et que il veut: Repenra la tant bonement. Vit le terme d’acordement. Ja parlera si com il doit Et con li hon qui an Deu croit: “Tristran, qel joie t’est creue! La parole est tost entendue Que li rois la roïne prent. Loé li ont tote sa gent. Mais ne li osent pas loer Toi retenir a soudeier;

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Mais va servir en autre terre Un roi a qui on face gerre, Un an ou deus. Se le rois veut, Revien a lui et a Yseut. D’ui en tierz jor, sanz nul deçoivre, Est li rois prest de lié reçoivre. Devant le Gué Aventuros Est li plez mis d’eus et de vos; La li rendroiz, iluec ert prise. Cist briés noient plus ne devise.” “Deus!” dist Tristran. “Quel departie! Molt est dolenz qui pert s’amie! Faire l’estuet por la soufrete Que vos avez por moi fors trete; N’avez mestier de plus soufrir. Qant ce vendra au departir Ge vos dorrai ma druerie, Vos moi la vostre, bele amie. Ja ne serai en cele terre Que ja me tienge pais ne gerre Que mesage ne vos envoi. Bele amie, remandez moi De tot en tot vostre plesir.” Iseut parla a grant sospir: “Tristran, entent un petitet: Husdent me lesse, ton brachet. Ainz berseret a veneor Ne fut gardé a tel honor Con cist sera, beaus douz amis. Qant gel verrai, ce m’est avis, Menberra moi de vos sovent; Ja n’avrai si le cuer dolent, Se je le voi, ne soie lie. Ainz, puis que la loi fu jugie, Ne fu brachez si herbergiez Ne en si riche lit couchiez. Amis Tristran, j’ai un anel, Un jaspe vert a u seel. Beau sire, por l’amor de moi, Portez l’anel en vostre doi.

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Et s’il vos vient, sire, a corage Que me mandiez rien par mesage (Tant vos dirai, ce saciez bien,) Certes, je n’en croiroie rien Se cest anel, sire, ne voi. Mais por defense de nul roi, Se voi l’anel, ne lairai mie, Ou soit savoir ou soit folie, Ne face çou que il dira. Qui cest anel m’aportera, Por ce qu’il soit a nostre anor; Ja vos pramet par fine amor. Amis, dorrez me vos tel don: Husdant le baut, par le landon?” Et il respont: “La moie amie, Husdent vos doins par druerie.” “Sire, c’est la vostre merci; Qant du brachet m’avez seisi, Tenez l’anel de gerredon.” De son doi l’oste, met u son. Tristran en bese la roïne, Et ele lui, par la saisine. Li hermites en vet au Mont Por les richeces qui la sont. Adés achate ver et gris, Dras de soië et porpre bis, Escarlates et blans chainsis, Asez plus blanc que flor de lis, Et palefroi souef anblant, Bien atornez d’or flanboiant. Ogrins l’ermite tant achate Et tant acroit et tant barate Pailes, vairs et gris et hermine Que richement vest la roïne. Par Cornoualle fait huchier Li rois s’acorde a sa mollier. “Devant le Gué Aventuros Iert pris acordement de nos.” Oï an est partot la fame; N’i remest chevalier ne dame

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Qui ne vienge a cel asenblee. La roïne ont molt desirree; Amee estoit de tote gent Fors des felons, que Deus cravent! (Tuit quatre [en orent] tel[s] soudees: Li dui en furent mort d’espees, Li tierz d’une seete ocis; A duel morurent el païs. Li forestier qui’s encusa Mort cruele n’en refusa, Quar Perinis li franc, li blois, L’ocist puis d’un gibet el bois. Deus les venga de toz ces quatre, Qui vout le fier orguel abatre.) Seignors, au jor du parlement fu li rois Marc o molt grant gent. La out tendu maint pavellon Et mainte tente de baron; loin out porpris la praerie. Tristran chevauchë o s’amie; Tristran chevauche et voit le merc. Souz son bliaut ot son hauberc, Quar grant poor avoit de soi Por ce qu’il out mesfait au roi. Choisi les tentes par la pree, Conut li roi et l’asenblee. Iseut apele bonement: “Dame, vos retenez Hudent. Pri vos, por Deu, que le gardez; S’onques m’amastes, donc l’amez. Vez la le roi, vostre seignor, O lui li home de s’onor. Nos ne porron mais longuement Aler nos deus a parlement. Je voi venir ces chevaliers Et le roi et ses soudoiers, Dame, qui vienent contre nos. Por Deu, le riche glorios, Se je vos mant aucune chose, Hastivement ou a grant pose,

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Dame, faites mes volentez.” “Amis Tristran, or m’escoutez: Par ceste foi que je vos doi, Se cel anel de vostre doi Ne m’envoiez si que jel voie, Rien qu’il deïst ge ne croiroie. Mais des que je reverrai l’anel, Ne tor ne mur ne fort chastel Ne me tendra ne face tost Le mandement de mon amant, Solonc m’enor et loiauté, Et je sace soit vostre gré.” “Dame,” fait il, “Deus gré te face!” Vers soi la trait, des braz l’enbrace. Yseut parla, qui n’ert pas fole: “Amis, entent a ma parole. Or me fai[t] donc bien a entendre. Tu me conduiz, si me veuz rendre Au roi par le consel Ogrin, L’ermite, qui ait bone fin! Por Deu vos pri, beaus douz amis, Que ne partez de cest païs Tant qos saciez conment li rois Sera vers moi, iriez ou lois. Gel pri, qui sui ta chiere drue, Qant li rois m’avra retenue, Que chiés Orri le forestier T’alles la nuit la herbergier. Por moi sejorner ne t’ennuit: Nos i geümes mainte nuit En nostre lit que nos fis faire. Li trois qui er[en]t de malaire Mal troveront en la parfin. Li cors giront el bois, sovin, Beau chiers amis, et, g’en ai dote, Enfer ovre, qui les tranglote! Ges dot, quar il sont molt felon. El buen celier, soz le boron, Seras entrez, li miens amis. Manderai toi par Perinis

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Les noveles de la roi cort. Li miens amis – se Deus t’enort! – Manderai toi de ci mon estre Par mon vaslet, et a ton mestre. Sovent verrez mon mesagier; Ne t’ennuit pas la herbergier.” “Non fera il, ma chiere amie. Qui vos reprovera folie, Gart soi de moi con d’anemi!” “Sire,” dist Yseut, “grant merci! Or sui je molt boneuree; A grant fin m’avez asenee.” Tant sont alé et cil venu Qu’il s’entredient lor salu. Li rois venoit molt fierement Le trait d’un arc devant sa gent; O lui Dinas, qui[st] de Dinan. Par la reigne tenoit Tristran La roïne qu’i conduisoit. La, salua si com il doit. “Rois, ge te rent Yseut la gente; Hon ne fist mais p[lu]s riche rente. Ci voi les homes de la terre, Et oiant eus te vuel requerre Que me sueffres a esligier Et en ta cort moi deraisnier C’onques o lié n’oi drüerie, Ne ele o moi, jor de ma vie. Acroire t’a l’en fait mençonge; Mais, se Deus joie et bien me donge, Onques ne firent jugement, Conbatre a pié ou autrement. Dedenz ta cort, sire, m’en soffre. Se sui dannez, si m’art en soffre! Et se je m’en pus faire saus, Qu’il n’i ait chevelu ne chaus . . . Si me retien ovocques toi O m’en irai en Loenoi.” Li rois a son nevo parole. Andrez, qui fu nez de Nicole,

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Li a dit: “Rois, quar le retiens! Plus en seras doutez et criens.” Molt en faut poi que ne l’otroie; Le cuer forment l’en asouploie. A une part le rois se trait, La roïne ovoc Dinas let, Qui molt par ert voirs et loiaus Et d’anor faire conmunaus. O la roïne geue et gabe; Du col li a osté la chape, Qui ert d’escarlate molt riche. Ele out vestu une tunique Desus un grant bliaut de soie. De son mantel que vos diroie? Ainz l’ermite qui l’achata Le riche fuer ne regreta. Riche ert la robe, et gent le cors; Les eulz out vers, les cheveus sors. Li seneschaus o lié s’envoise. As trois barons forment en poise; Mal aient il! Trop sont engrés. Ja se trairont du roi plus pres. “Sire,” font il, “a nos entent! Consel te doron bonement. La roïne a esté blasmée Et foï hors de ta contree. Se a ta cort resont ensenble, Ja dira l’en, si con nos senble, Que en consent lor felonie; Poi i avra qui ce ne die. Lai de ta cort partir Tristran; Et, quant vendra jusqu’a un an, Que tu seras aseürez Qu’ Yseut te tienge loiautez, Mande Tristran qu’il vienge a toi. Ce te loons par bone foi.” Li rois respont: “Que que nus die, De vo consel n’istrai je mie.” Ariere en vienent li baron; Por le roi content sa raison.

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Quant Tristran oit n’i a porloigne, Que li rois veut qu’il s’en esloigne, De la roïne congié prent. L’un l’autre esgarde bonement. La roïne fu coloree; Vergoigne avoit por l’asenblee. Tristran s’en part, ce m’est avis. Deus! tant cuer fist le jor pensis! Li rois demande ou tornera; Qant qu’il voudra, tot li dorra; Molt par li a a bandon mis Or et argent et vair et gris. Tristran dist: “Rois de Cornoualle, Ja n’en prendrai une maale. A qant que puis, vois an Gavoie Au roi riche que l’en gerroie.” Molt out Tristran riche convoi Des barons et de Marc le roi. Vers la mer vet Tristran sa voie. Yseut o les euz le convoie; Tant con de lui ot la veüe, De la place ne se remue. Tristran s’en vet; retorné sont Cil qui pose convoié l’ont. Dinas encor le convoiout, Sovent le besse, et li proiot Seürement revienge a lui; Entrafié se sont il dui. “Dinas, entent un poi a moi. De ce m’en part, bien sez por quoi. Se je te mant par Governal Aucune chose besoignal, Avance la si con tu doiz.” Baisié se sont plus de set foiz. Dinas li prie ja nel dot; Die son buen, il fera tot. D’eus a molt bele desevree . . . Mais sor sa foi aseüree, La retendra ensenble o soi; Non feroit, certes, por le roi.

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Iluec Tristran de lui s’en torne; Au departir andui sont morne. Dinas s’en vient aprés le roi, Qui l’atendoit a un chaumoi. Ore chevauchent li baron Vers la cité tot a bandon. Tote la gent ist de la vile Et furent plus de quatre mile, Qu’omes que femes que enfanz, Que por Yseut que por Tristranz. Mervellose joie menoient; Li saint par la cité sonoient. (Qant il oient Tristran s’en vet, N’i a un sol grant duel ne fet.) D’Iseut grant joie demenoient; De lui servir molt se penoient, Quar, ce saciez, ainz n’i ot rue Ne fust de paile portendue; Cil qui n’out paile mist cortine. Par la ou aloit la roïne Est la rue molt bien jonchie. Tot contremont, par la chaucie, Si vont au mostier Saint Sanson; La roïne et tuit li baron En sont trestuit ensenble alé. Evesque, clerc, moine et abé Encontre lié sont tuit issu, D’aubes, de chapes revestu. Et la roïne est decendue; D’une porpre inde fu vestue. L’eveque l’a par la main prise Si l’a dedenz le mostier mise. Tot droit la meinent a l’autel. Dinas li preuz, qui molt fu bel, Li aporta un garnement Qui bien valoit cent mars d’argent, Un riche paile fait d’orfrois; Onques n’out tel ne qens ne rois. Et la roïne Yseut l’a pris Et par buen cuer sor l’autel mis.

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

(Une chasublë en fu faite, Qui ja du tresor n’iert hors traite Se as grant festes anvés non; Encore est ele a Saint Sanson, Ce dïent cil qui l’ont veüe.) Atant est du mostier issue. Li rois, li prince et li contor L’en meinent el palais hauçor. Grant joie i ont le jor menee; Onques porte n’i fu vee; Qui vout entrer, si pout mengier, Onc a nul n’i fist on dangier. Molt l’ont le jor tuit honoree; Ainz le jor que fu esposee N’en fist hom si grant honor Con l’on li a fait icel jor. Le jor franchi li rois cent sers Et donna armes et haubers A vint danzeaus qu’il adouba. Or oiez que Tristran fera! Tristran s’en part; fait a sa rente. Let le chemin, prent une sente; Tant a erré voie et sentier Qu’a la herberge au forestier En est venu celeement. Par l’entree premierement Le mist Orri el bel celier; Tot li trove[t] quant q’ot mestier. Orris estoit mervelles frans; Senglers, lehes prenet o pans, En ses haies grans cers et biches, Dains et chevreus. Il n’ert pas chiches; Molt en donet a ses serjanz. Or Tristran ert la sejornanz Priveement en souterrin. Par Perinis, li franc meschin, Sot Tristran novés de s’amie. Oiez des trois (que Deus maudie!) Par qui Tristran an est alez; (Par eus fu molt li rois malez.)

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Critical Edition

Ne tarja pas un mois entier Que li rois Marc ala chacier, Et avoc lui li traïtor. Or escoutez que font cel jor! En une lande a une part Ourent ars li vilain essart. Li rois s’estut el bruelleïz; De ses buens chiens oï les cris. La sont venu li troi baron, Qui le roi mistrent a raison. “Rois, or entent nostre parole. Se la roïne a esté fole – El n’en fist onques escondit – Ç’a vilanie vos est dit. Et li baron de ton païs T’en ont par mainte foiz requis Qu’il vuelent bien s’en escondie: Qu’onc Tristran n’ot sa drüerie. Noier le doit se l’on en ment. Si l’en fai faire jugement Et enevoies l’en requier, Priveement, a ton couchier. S’ele ne s’en veut escondire, Lai l’en aler de ton enpire.” Li rois rogi, qui escouta: “Par Deu! Seignors Cornot, molt a Ne finastes de lié reter. De tel chose l’oi ci reter Qui bien peüst remaindre atant. Dites se vos alez querant Que la roïne aut en Irlande. Chascun de vos que li demande? N’offri Tristran li a defendre? Ainz n’en osastes armes prendre. Par vos est il hors du païs; Or m’avez vos du tot sorpris. Lui ai chacié; or chaz ma feme? Cent dehez ait par mié la cane Qui me rova de lui partir! Par Saint Estiene le martir,

3032

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3044 22d

3048

(ms. 3045) 3052 (ms. 3046)

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Vos me sorquerez, ce me poise. Quel mervelle que l’en s’iraise! S’il se mesfait, il est en fort. N’avez cure de mon deport; O vos ne puis plus avoir pes. Par Saint Tresmor de Caharés, Je vos ferai un geu parti: Ainz ne verroiz passé marsdi – Hui est lundi – si le verrez.” Li rois les a si esfreez Qu’il n’i a el fors prengent fuie. Li rois Marc dist: “Deus vos destruie, Qui si alez querant ma honte! Por noient certes ne vos monte; Ge ferai le baron venir Que vos aviez fait fuïr.” Qant il voient le roi marri, En la lande sor un jarri Sont decendu tuit troi a pié; Le roi lessent el chanp, irié. Entre eus dient: “Que porron faire? Li rois Marc est trop deputaire. Bien tost mandera son neveu; Ja n’i tendra ne fei ne veu. S’il ça revient, de nos est fin; Ja en forest ne en chemin Ne trovera nus de nos trois, Le sanc n’en traie du cors frois. Dison le roi: or avra pes, N’en parleron a lui jamés.” Enmié l’essart li rois s’estot. La sont venu; tost les destot, De leur parole n’a mes cure. La loi qu’il tien de Deu en jure Tot souavet entre ses denz: Mar fu jostez cist parlemenz. S’il eüst or la force a soi, La fusent pris, ce dit, tuit troi. “Sire, font il, entendez nos: Marriz estes et coroços

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Critical Edition

Por ce que nos dison t’anor. L’en devroit par droit son seignor Consellier; tu nos sez mal gré. Mal ait quant qu’a soz son baudré Cil qui te het! Cil s’en ira; Ja mar o toi s’en marrira. Mais nos, qui somes ti feel, Te donions loial consel. Quant ne nos croiz, fai ton plaisir; Assez nos en orras taisir. Cest maltalent [quar] nos pardonne!” Li rois escoute, mot ne sone. Sor son arçon s’est acoutez; Ne s’est vers eus noient tornez. “Seignors, molt a encor petit Que vos oïstes l’escondit Que mes niés fist de ma mollier; Ne vosistes escu ballier. Querant alez a terre, a pié; La meslee desor vos vié. Or gerpisiez tote ma terre! Par Saint André que l’en vet querre Outre la mer jusque en Escoce, Mis m’en avez el cuer laboce Qui n’en istra jusqu’a un an: G’en ai por vos chacié Tristran.” Devant lui vienent li felon, Godoïne et Guenelon Et Danalain que fu molt feus. Li troi l’ont aresnié entre eus, Mais n’i porent plai encontrer. Vet s’en li rois sanz plus ester. Cil s’en partent du roi par mal; Forz chasteaus ont, bien clos de pal, Soiant sor roche, sor haut pui; A lor seignor feront ennui Se la chose n’est amendee. Li rois n’a pas fait longe estee, N’atendi chien ne veneor; A Tintajol, devant sa tor,

3112 23b

(ms. 3116) 3116 (ms. 3115)

3120

3124

3128

3132

3136

3140

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3148

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Est decendu, dedenz s’en entre. Nus ne[l] set ne ne[l] voit soventre. Es chanbres entre, çaint’ espee; Yseut s’est contre lui levee, Encontre vient, s’espee a prise, Pus [s’]est as piez le roi asise. Prist l’a la main si l’en leva. La roïne li enclina, Amont le regarde, a la chiere. Molt la vit et cruel et fiere. Aperçut soi qu’il ert marriz; Venuz s’en est aëschariz. “Lasse!” fait elle. “Mes amis Est trovez; mes sires l’a pris!” (Souef le dit entre ses denz.) Li sanz de li ne fu si lenz Qu’il ne li set monté el vis. Li cuer el ventre li froidis[t]; Pasme soi, sa color a perse; Devant le roi choï enverse, Q[ui] entre ses braz l’a levee. Beisieë et acolee; Pensa que mal l’eüst ferue. Quant de pasmer fu revenue, “Ma chiere amie, que avez?” “Sire, poor.” “Ne vos tamez.” Qant ele l’ot qui l’aseüre, Sa color vient, si s’asseüre; Adonc li ro’st asouagié. Molt bel a le roi aresnié: “Sire, ge voi a ta color Fait t’ont marri ti veneor. Ne te doiz ja marrir de chace.” Li rois l’entent, rist, si l’enbrace, E li a fait li rois: “Amie, J’ai trois felons, d’ancesorie, Qui heent mon amendement. Mais se encoi nes en desment Et nes enchaz fors de ma terre, Li fel ne criement mais ma gerre.

195

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3156

3160

3164

3168

(ms. 3170) (ms. 3169) 3172

3176

3180

23d 3184

3188

196

Critical Edition

Il m’ont asez adés mentu, Et je lor ai trop consentu; N’i a mais rien del covertir. Par lor parler, par lor mentir Ai mon nevo de moi chacié. N’ai mais cure de lor marchié. Prochainement s’en revendra, Des trois felons me vengera; Par lui seront encor pendu.” La roïne l’a entendu; Ja parlast haut mais ele n’ose; El fu sage, si se repose Et dist: “Dex i a fait vertuz, Qant mes sires s’est irascuz Vers ceus par qui blasme ert levé. Deu pri qu’il soient vergondé.” (Souef le dit, que nus ne l’ot.) La bele Yseut, qui parler sot, Tot sinplement a dit au roi: “Sire, qel mal ont dit de moi? Chascun puet dire ce qu’il pense. Fors vos ge n’ai nule defense; Por ce vont il querant mon mal. De Deu, le pere esperital, Aient il male maudiçon! Tantes foiz m’ont mis’ en frichon!” “Dame,” fait li rois, “or m’entent: Parti s’en sont par mautalent Trois de mes plus proisiez barons.” “Sire, por quoi? Par quel[s] raisons?” “Blasmer te font.” “Sire, por quoi?” “Gel te dirai,” dit li li roi: “N’as fait de Tristran escondit.” “Se je l’en faz?” “Et il m’ont dit . . . Qu’il le m’ont dit.” “Ge prest’ en sui.” “Qant le feras? Ancor ancui?” “Brif terme i mez.” “Asez est loncs.” “Sire, por Deu et por ses nons, Entent a moi, si me conselle. Que puet ce estre? Quel mervelle

3192

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Qu’il ne me lesent an pes eure! Se Damledeu mon cors seceure, Escondit mais ne lor ferai, Fors un que je deviserai. Se lor faisoie soirement, Sire, a ta cort, voiant ta gent, Jusqu’a tierz jur me rediroient Qu’autre escondit avoir voudroient. Rois, n’ai en cest païs parent Qui por le mien destraignement En feïst gerre ne revel. Mais de ce me seret molt bel (De lor rebeche n’ai mes cure): Se il vuelent avoir ma jure Ou s’il volent loi de juïse, Ja n’en voudront si roide guise – Metent le terme – que ne[l] face. A terme avrai en mié la place Li roi Artus et sa mesnie. Se devant lui sui alegie, Qui me voudroit aprés sordire, Cil me voudroient escondire, Qui avront veü ma deraisne, Vers un Cornot ou vers un Saisne. Por ce m’est bel que cil i soient Et mon deresne a lor eulz voient. Se en place est Artus li rois, Gauvains ses niés, li plus cortois, Girflez et Qeu li seneschaus – Tex cent en a li rois vasaus, N’en mentiront por rien qu’il oient – Por les seurdiz se conbatroient. Rois, por c’est bien devant eus set Faiz li deraisne de mon droit. Li Cornot sont reherceor, De pluseurs evre[s] tricheor. Esgarde un terme, si lor mande Que tu veus a la Blanche Lande Tuit i soient, et povre et riche. Qui n’i sera, tres bien t’afiche

197

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3252 24b

3256

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198

Critical Edition

Que lor toudras lor herité; Si reseras d’eus aquité. Et le mien cors est toz seürs, Des que verra li rois Artus Mon mesage, qu’il vendra ça; Son corage sai des piça.” Li rois respont: “Bien avez dit.” Atant est li termes baniz A quinze jors par le païs. Li rois le mande a[s] trois naïs Qui par mal sont parti de cort; Molt en sont lié, a que qu’il tort. Or sevent tuit par la contree Le terme asis de l’asenblee, Et que la ert li rois Artus Et de ses chevaliers le plus O lui vendront de sa mesnie. Yseut ne s’ert mie atargie; Par Perinis manda Tristran Tote la paine et tot l’ahan Qu’el a por lui ouan eüe. Or l’en soit la bonté rendue! Metre la puet, s’il veut, en pes: “Di li qu’il set bien [le] marchés Au chief des planches, au Mal Pas; J’i sollé ja un poi mes dras. Sor la mote, el chief de la planche, Un poi deça la Lande Blanche, Soit, revestuz de dras de ladre. Un henap port o soi, de madre – Une botele ait de desoz – O coroie atachié, par noz. A l’autre main tienge un puiot. Si aprenge de tel tripot: Au terme ert sor la mote assis (Ja set assez bociez son vis); Port le henap devant son front. A ceux qui iluec passeront Demant l’aumosne sinplement. Il li dorront or et argent.

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24c

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

(Gart moi l’argent tant que le voie Priveement, en chanbre coie.)” Dist Perinis: “Dame, par foi, Bien li dirai si le secroi.” Perinis part de la roïne. El bois, parmié une gaudine, Entre; tot sos par le bois vet. A l’avesprer vient au recet Ou Tristran ert, el bel celier; Levé estoient du mengier. Liez fu Tristran de sa venue; Bien sout noveles de sa drue Li a porté li vaslet frans. Il dui se tienent par les mains, Sor un sige haut sont monté. Perinis li a tot conté Le mesage de la roïne. Tristran vers terre un poi encline, Et jure quant que puet ataindre: Mar l’ont pensé, ne puet remaindre, Il en perdront encor les testes Et as forches pendront, as festes. “Di la roïne mot a mot: G’irai au terme, pas n’en dot. Face soi lie, saine et baude! Ja n’avrai mais bain d’eve chaude Tant qu’a m’espee aie venjance De ceux qui li ont fait pesance; Il sont traïtre fel prové. Di li que tot a bien trové A sauver soi du soirement. Je la verrai assez briment. Va, si li di que ne s’esmait, Ne dot pas que je n’alle au plet, Atapiné conme tafurs. Bien me verra li rois Artus Soier au chief, sor le Mal Pas, Mais il ne me connoistra pas; S’aumosne avrai, se l’en pus traire. A la roïne puez retraire

199

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3324

3328

3332

3336

3340

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200

Critical Edition

Ce que t’ai dit el sozterrin Que fist fere si bel, perrin. De moi li porte plus saluz Qu’il n’a sor moi botons menuz.” “Bien li dirai,” dist Perinis. Lors s’est par les degrez fors mis. “G’en vois au roi Artus, beau sire. Ce mesage m’i estuet dire: Qu’il vienge oïr le soirement, Ensenble o lui chevaliers cent, Qui puis garant li porteroient Se li felon de rien greignoient A la dame de loiauté. Donc n’est ce bien?” “Or va a Dé!” Toz les degrez en puie a orne, El chaceor monte et s’en torne. N’avra mais pais a l’esperon Si ert venu a Cuerlion. (Molt out cil poines por servir, Molt l’en devroit mex avenir.) Tant a enquis du roi novele Que l’en li a dit bone et bele: Que li rois ert a Isneldone. Cele voie qui la s’adone Vet li vaslet Yseut la bele. A un pastor qui chalemele A demandé: “Ou est li rois?” “Sire,” fait il, “il sit au dois. Ja verroiz la table reonde Qui tornoie conme le monde; Sa mesnie sit environ.” Dist Perinis: “Ja en iron.” Li vaslet au perron decent, Maintenant s’en entra dedanz. Molt i avoit filz a contors Et filz a riches vavasors Qui servoient por armes tuit. Uns d’eux s’en part, con s’il s’en fuit; Il vint au roi et il l’apele: “Va, dont viens tu?” “J’aport novele:

3352

3356

25a

3360

3364

(ms. 3366) (ms. 3365) 3368

3372

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3380

3384

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

La defors a un chevauchant; A grant besoin te va querant.” Atant estes vos Pirinis; Esgardez fu de maint marchis. Devant le roi vint a l’estage Ou s[e]oient tuit li barnage. Li vaslet dit tot a seür: “Deus saut,” fait il, “le roi Artur, Lui et tote sa conpaignie, De part la bele Yseut s’amie!” Li rois se lieve sus des tables. “Et Deus,” fait il, “esperitables La saut et gart, et toi, amis! Deus!” fait li rois, “tant ai je quis De lié avoir un sol mesage! Vaslez, voiant cest mien barnage, Otroi a li qant que requiers. Toi tiers seras fet chevaliers Por le mesage a la plus bele Qui soit de ci jusq’en Tudele.” “Sire,” fait il, “vostre merci! Oiez porqoi sui venu ci: Et s’i entendent cil baron, Et mes sires Gauvain par non. La roïne s’est acordee O son seignor, n’i a celee. Sire, la ou il s’acorderent, Tuit li baron du reigne i erent. Tristran s’offri a esligier Et la roïne a deraisnier Devant le roi, de loiauté. Ainz nus de cele loiauté Ne vout armes seisir ne prendre. Sire, or font le roi Marc entendre Que il prenge de lié deraisne! Il n’a frans hon, François ne Saisne, A la roi cort, de son linage. (Ge oi dire que souef nage Cil qui on sostient le menton.) Rois, se nos ja de ce menton,

201

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25b 3396

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3424

3428 25c

202

Critical Edition

Si me tenez a losengier. Li rois n’a pas coraige entier; Senpres est ci et senpres la. La bele Yseut respondu l’a: Qu’ele en fera droit devant vos. Devant le Gué Aventuros Vos requier[t] et merci vos crie, Conme la vostre chiere amie, Que vos soiez au terme mis; Cent i aiez de vos amis, Vostre mesnie natural. Vostre cort set atant loial, Se devant vos iert alegiee, (Et Deus la gart que n’i meschiee!) Que pus li seriez garant; N’en faudrïez ne tant ne quant. D’hui en huit jors est pris li termes.” Plorer en font o groses lermes; N’i a un sol qui de pitié N’en ait des euil[z] le vis mollié. “Deus!” fait chascun, “que li demandent? Li rois fait ce que il conmandent: Tristran s’en vet fors du païs. Ja ne voie il sa[i]nt Paradis, Se li rois veut, qui la n’ira Et qui par droit ne l’aidera!” Gauvains s’[en] est levé en piez, Parla et dist conme afaitiz: “Oncle, se j’ai de toi l’otrise, La deresne qui est assise Torra a mal as trois felons. Li plus covers est Guenelons; Gel connois bien, si fait il moi; Gel boutai ja a[n] un fangoi A un bohort fort et plenier. Se gel retien, par saint Richier, N’i estovra Tristran venir; Se gel pooie as poins tenir, Ge li feroie asez ennui Et le pendr[oi]e a un haut pui.”

3432

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(ms. 3442) (ms. 3441) 3444

3448

3452

3456

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3464 25d

3468

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Gerflet s’en lieve enprés Gauvain Et si s’en vindre[n]t main a main. “Rois, molt par heent la roïne Denaalain et Godoïne Et Guenelon, molt a lonc tens. Ja ne me tienge Deus en sens, Se vois encontre Goudoïne, Se de ma grant lance fresnine Ne [li] passe outre le coutel, Ja nen enbraz soz le mantel Bele dame desoz cortine!” Perinis l’ot, le chief li cline. Et dit Evains, li filz Urïen: “Asez connais Dinaalen; Tot son sens met en acuser; Bien set faire le roi muser. Tant li dirai (que il me croie!); Se je l’encontre enmié ma voie, Con je fis ja une autre foiz, Ja ne m’en tienge lois ne fois, S’il ne se puet de moi defendre, S’a mes deus mains ne le fais pendre. Molt doit on felon chastïer. De[l] roi joent si losengier.” Dist Perinis au roi Artur: “Sire, je sui de tant seür Que li felon prendront colee, Qui la roïne ont quis meslee. Ainz a ta cort n’ot menacié Home de nul luintain reigné, Que n’en aiez bien trait a chief; Au partir en remestrent grief Tuit cil qui l’ourent deservi.” Li rois fu liez, un poi rougi. “Sire vaslez, alez mangier; Cist penseront de lui vengier.” Li rois en son cuer out grant joie; Parla, bien vout Perinis l’oie: “Mesnie franche et honoree, Gardez q’encontre l’asenblee

203

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204

Critical Edition

Soient vostre cheval tuit gras, Vostre escu nuef, riche vos dras; Bohorderons devant la bele Dont vos oiez tuit la novele. Molt porra poi s’amie amer Qui se faindra d’armes porter.” Li rois les ot trestoz semons. Le terme heent qui’st si lons; Lor vuel fust il a l’endemain. Oiez du franc de bone main! Perinis le congé demande. Li rois monta sor Passelande, Qar convoier veut le meschin. Contant vont parmié le chemin; Tuit li conte sont de la bele Qui metra lance par astele. Ainz que parte li parlemenz, Li rois offre les garnemenz Perinis d’estre chevalier; Mais il nes vout encor ballier. Li rois convoié l’out un poi Por la bele franche au chief bloi, Ou il n’a point de mautalent; Molt en parloient an alent. Li vaslez out riche convoi Des chevaliers et du franc roi; A grant enviz sont departiz. Li rois le claime: “Beaus amis, Alez vos en, ne demorez. Vostre dame me saluez De son demoine soudoier, Qui vient a li por apaier. Totes ferai ses volentez. Poruc serai des alentez: El me pot ja molt avancier. Menbre li de l’espié lancier, Qui fu en l’estache feru; Ele savra bien ou ce fu. Prié vos que li dïez einsi.” “Rois, si ferai, gel vos afi.”

3512

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The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Adonc hurta le chaceor; Li rois se rest mis el retor. Cil s’en vient; son mesage a fait Perinis, qui tant mal a trait Por le servise a la roïne. Conme plus puet et il chemine; Onques un jor ne sejorna Tant qu’il vint la don il torna. Reconté a sa chevauchie A celi qui molt en fu lie, Du roi Artur et de Tristran. Cele nuit furent a Lidan. Cele nuit fu la lune dime. Que diroie? Li terme aprime De soi alegier la roïne. Tristran, li suens amis, ne fine. Vestu se fu de mainte guise: Il fu en legne, sanz chemise; De let burel furent les cotes Et a quarreaus furent ses botes; Une chape de burel lee Out fait tallier, tote enfumee. Affublez se fu forment bien, Malade senble plus que rien; Et nequeden si ot s’espee Entor ses flanz estroit noee. Tristran s’en part, ist de l’ostal Celeement, a Governal, Qui li enseigne et si li dit: “Sire Tristran, ne soiez bric; Prenez garde de la roïne, Qu’el vos fera senblant et signe.” “Maistre,” fait il, “si ferai mon. Gardez que vos faciez mon bon. Ge me criem molt d’aperchevance; Prenez mon escu et ma lance Ses m’aportez, et mon cheval Enreigné, mestre Governal. Se mestier m’est, que vos saiez Au pasage, prez, enbuschiez;

205

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3568 26c 3572

(ms. 3607) 3576 (ms. 3608)

3580

3584

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206

Critical Edition

Vos savez bien le buen passage, Pieç’a que vos en estes sage. Li cheval est blans conme flor; Covrez le bien trestot entor, Que il ne soit mes conneüz Ne de nul home aperceüz. La ert Artus atot sa gent, Et li rois Marc tot ensement. Cil chevalier d’estrange terre Bohorderont por los aquerre, Et por l’amor Yseut m’amie G’i ferai tost une esbaudie. Sus la lance soit le penon Dont la bele me fist le don. Mestre, or alez, pri vos forment Que le faciez molt sauvement.” Prist son henap et son puiot. Le congié prist de lui, si l’ot; Governal vint a son ostel, Son hernois prist, ainz ne fist el, Puis si se mist tost a la voie. Il n’a cure que nus le voie; Tant a erré qu’enbuschiez s’est Pres de Tristran, qui au Pas est. Sor la mote, au chief de la mare, S’asist Tristran sanz autre afaire. Devant soi fiche son bordon; Atachié fu a un cordon A quei l’avet pendu au col. Entor lui sont li taier mol; Sor la mote forment se tret. Ne senbla pas home contret, Qar il ert gros et corporuz; Il n’ert pas nains, contrez, boçuz. La rote entent; la s’est asis. Molt ot bien bocelé son vis. Qant aucun passe devant lui, En plaignant disoit: “Mar i fui! Ja ne quidai estre aumosnier Ne servir jor de cest mestier,

3592

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3600

26d 3604

(ms. 3575) 3608 (ms. 3576)

3612

3616

3620

3624

3628

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Mais n’en poon ormais el faire.” Tristran lor fait des borses trere, Que il fait tant, chascun li done; Il les reçoit, que mot ne sone. Tex a esté set anz mignon Ne set si bien traire guignon: Meïsmes li corlain a pié Et li garçon, li mains proisié, Qui vont mangant par le chemin – Tristran, qui tient le chief enclin, Lor aumosne por Deu lor quiert. L’un l’en done, l’autre le fiert. Li cuvert gars, li desfaé, Mignon, herlot l’ont apelé. Escoute Tristran, mot ne sone; Por Deu, ce dit, le lor pardone. Li corbel, qui sont plain de rage, Li font ennui, et il est sage; Truant le claiment et herlot, Il les convoie o le puiot; Plus de quatorze en fait saignier Si qu’il ne püent estanchier. Li franc vaslet de bone orine Ferlin ou maalle esterline Li ont doné; il les reçoit; Il lor dit que il a toz boit. Si grant arson a en son cors, A poine l’en puet geter fors. Tuit cil qui l’oient si parler De pitié prenent a plorer; Ne tant ne quant pas nu mescroient Qu’il ne soit ladres, cil qui’l voient. Passent vaslet et escuier Qui se hast[ent] d’eus alegier Et des tres tendre lor seignors, Pavellons de maintes colors. (N’i a riche home n’ait sa tente.) A plain erre, chemin et sente, Li chevalier vienent aprés. Molt a grant presse en cel marchés;

207

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3636

27a

3640

3644

3648

3652

3656

3660

3664

3668

208

Critical Edition

Esfondré sont, mos est li fans. Li cheval entrent jusq’as flans; Maint en i chiet, qui que s’en traie. Tristran s’en [r]ist, point ne s’esmaie; Par contraire lor dit a toz: “Tenez vos reignes par les noz, Si hurtez bien de l’esperon! Par Deu, ferez de l’esperon, Qu’il n’a avant point de taier.” Qant il pensent outre essaier, Li marois font de soz lor piez; Chascun qui entre est entaiez; Qui n’a hueses, s’en a soffrete. Li ladres a sa main fors traite; Qant en voit un qui el tai voitre, Adonc flavele cil a cuite. Qant il le voit plus en fangoi, Li ladres dit: “Pensez de moi, Que Dex vos get fors du Mal Pas! Aidiez a noveler mes dras!” O sa botele el henap fiert. (En estrange leu les requiert, Mais il le fait par lecherie, Qant or verra passer s’amie, Yseut, qui a la crine bloie, Quë ele an ait en son cuer joie.) Molt a grant noise en cel Mal Pas. Li passeor sollent lor dras, De luien puet l’om oïr les huz De ceus qui solle la paluz; Cil qui la passe n’est seürs. Atant es vos le roi Artus. Esgarder vient le passeor, O lui de ses barons plusor; Criement que li marois ne fonde. Tuit cil de la Table Reonde Furent venu sor le Mal Pas O escus fres, o chevaus gras, De lor armes entreseignié. Tuit sont covert, que mens que pié;

3672

27b 3676

3680

3684

3688

3692

3696

3700

3704

3708 27c

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Maint drap de soie i ot levé. Behordant vont devant le gé. Tristran connoisoit bien le roi Artus, si l’apela a soi: “Sire Artus, rois, je sui malades, Bociez, meseaus, desfaiz et fades. Povre est mon pere; n’out ainz terre. Ça sui venuz l’aumosne querre. Molt ai oï de toi bien dire; Tu ne me doiz pas escondire. Tu es vestu de beaus grisens De Renebors, si con je pens; Desoz la toile rencïene La toue char est blanche et plaine; Tes janbes voi de riche paile Chaucies et o verte maile, Et les sorchauz d’une escarlate. Rois Artus, voiz con je me grate! J’ai les granz froiz, qui qu’ait les chauz. Por Deu, me donne ces sorchauz!” Li nobles rois an ot pitié; Dui damoisel l’ont deschaucié. Li malades les sorchauz prent, Otot s’en vet isnelement; Asis se rest sor la muterne. Li ladres nus de ceus n’esperne Qui devant lui sont trespassé. Fins dras en a a grant plenté, Et les sorchauz Artus le roi. Tristran s’asist sor le maroi. Qant il se fu iluec assis, Li rois Marc, fiers et posteïs, Chevaucha fort vers le taier. Tristran l’aqueut a essaier S’il porra rien avoir du suen. Son flavel sonë a haut suen; A sa voiz roe crie a paine, O le nez fait subler l’alaine: “Por Deu, roi Marc, un poi de bien!” S’aumuce trait, si li dit: “Tien,

209

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3736

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3744 27d

3748

210

Critical Edition

F[re]re, met la ja sus ton chief! Maintes foiz t’a li tens fait g[r]ief.” “Sire,” fait il, “vostre merci! Or m’avez vos de froit gari.” Desoz la chape a mis l’aumuce; Qant qu’il puet la trestorne et muce. “Dom es tu, ladres?” fait li rois. “De Carloon, filz d’un Galois.” “Qanz anz as esté fors de gent?” “Sire, trois anz a vairement. Tant con je fui en saine vie, Molt avoie cortoise amie. Por lié ai je ces boces lees; Ces tartaries plain dolees Me fait et nuit et jor soner Et o la noise estoner Toz ceus qui je demant du lor Por amor Deu le criator.” Li rois li dit: “Ne celez mie: Conment ce te donna t’amie?” “Dans rois, ses sires ert meseaus. O lié faisoie mes joiaus; Cist maus me prist de la comune. Mais plus bele ne fu que une.” “Qui est ele?” “La bele Yseut; Einsi se vest con cele seut.” Li rois entent; riant s’en part. Li rois Artus de l’autre part En est venuz, qui bohordot; Joios se fist, que plus ne pout. Artus enquist de la roïne. “El vient,” fait Marc, “par la gaudine, Dan roi, ele vient o Andret; De lié conduire s’entremet.” Dist l’un a l’autre: “Ne sai pas Conment isse de cest Mal Pas. Or eston ci, si prenon garde.” Li troi felon – qui mal feu arde! – Vindrent au gué, si demanderent Au malade par ont passerent

3752

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3760

3764

3768

3772

3776

28a

3780

3784

3788

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Cil qui mains furent entaié. Tristran a son puiot drecié Et lor enseigne un grant molanc. “Vëez la torbe aprés cel fanc? La est li droiz asseneors, G’i ai veü passer plusors.” Li felon entrent an la fange. La ou li ladres lor enseigne, Fange troverent a mervelle Desi q’as auves de la selle. Tuit troi chient a une flote. Li malade fu sus la mote, Si lor cria: “Poigniez a fort, Se vos estes de tel tai ort! Alez, seignor! Par saint Apostre, Si me done chascun du vostre!” Li cheval fonde[n]t el taier; Cil se prenent a esmaier, Qar ne trovent rive ne font. Cil qui boordent sor le mont Sont acoru isnelement. Oiez du ladre com il ment! “Seignors,” fait il a ces barons, “Tenez vos bien a vos archons! Mal ait cil fans qui si est mos! Ostez ces manteaus de vos cous Si braçoiez parmié le tai! Je vos di bien que tres bien sai, G’i ai hui veü gent passer.” Qui donc veïst henap casser! Qant li ladres le henap loche, O la coroie fiert la boche Et o l’autre des mainz flavele. Atant es vos Yseut la bele. El taier vit ses ainemis, Sor la mote sist ses amis. Joie en a grant, rit et envoise; A pié decent sor la faloise. De l’autre art furent li roi Et li baron qu’il ont o soi,

211

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3796

3800

3804

3808

3812

28b 3816

3820

3824

3828

212

Critical Edition

Qui esgardent ceus du taier Torner sor coste et ventrellier. Et li malades les argue: “Seigneurs, le roïne est venue Por fere son aresnement. Alez oïr cel jugement!” Poi en i a joie n’en ait. Oiez del ladre, du desfait! Dono[a]len met a raison: “Pren t’a la main a mon baston, Tire a deus poinz molt durement!” Cil les li tent tot maintenant. Li baston li let tot de grez; Ariere chiet, tot est plungiez; Ne vit on fors le poil rebors. Et qant il fu du tai trait fors, Fait li malades: “N’en poi mes; J’ai endormi jointes et ners, Les mains gourdes por le mal d’acre, Les piez enflez por le poacre; Li maus a enpiriez ma force, Ses sont mi braz com une escorce.” Dinas estoit o la roïne; Aperçut soi, de l’uiel li cline. Bien sout Tristran ert soz la chape, Les trois felons vit en la trape; Molt li fu bel et molt li plot De ce qu’il sont en lait tripot. A grant martire et a dolor Sont issu li encuseor Du taier defors; a certain, Ja ne seront mais net sanz bain. Voiant le pueple se despollent, Li dras laisent, autres racuellent. Mais or oiez du franc Dinas, Qui fu de l’autre part du Pas! La roïne met a raison. “Dame,” fait il, “cel siglaton Estera ja forment laidiz; Cist garez est plain de rouïz.

3832

3836

3840

3844

3848 28c 3852

3856

3860

3864

3868

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Marriz en sui, forment m’en poise Se a vos dras poi en adoise.” Yseut rist, qui n’ert pas coarde, De l’uel li guigne si l’esgarde; Le penser sout a la roïne. Un poi aval, lez une espine, Torne a un gué, lui et Andrez; Outrepasserent auques nez. De l’autre part fu Yseut sole. Devant le gué fu grant la fole Des deus rois et de lor barnage. Oiez d’Yseut com el fu sage! Bien savoit que cil l’esgardoient Qui outre le Mal Pas estoient. Ele est au palefroi venue, Prent les langues de la sanbue Ses noua desus les arçons; Nus escuiers ne nus garçons Por le taier mex nes levast Ne ja mex nes aparelast. Le lorain boute soz la sele, Le poitrail oste Yseut la bele, Au palefroi oste son frain. Sa robe tient en une main, En l’autre la corgie tint; Au gué o le palefroi vint; De la corgie l’a feru Et il passe outre la palu. La roïne out molt grant esgart De ceux qui sont de l’autre part. Li roi prisié s’en esbahirent, Et tuit li autre qui le virent. La roïne out de soie dras; Aporté furent de Baudas, Forré furent de blanc hermine. Mantel, bliaut, tot li traïne. Sor ses espaules sont si crin, Bendé a ligne sor or fin; Un cercle d’or out sor son chief Qui [l’]embare de chief en chief,

213

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3876

3880

3884 28d

3888

3892

3896

3900

3904

3908

214

Critical Edition

Color rosine, fresche et blanche. Einsi s’adrece vers la planche. “Ge vuel avoir a toi afere.” “Roïne franche, debonere, A toi irai sanz escondire, Mais je ne sai que tu veus dire.” “Ne vuel mes dras enpaluer. Asne seras de moi porter Tot souavet par sus la planche.” “Avoi!” fait il, “roïne franche, Ne me requerez pas tel plet! Ge sui ladres, boçu, desfait.” “Cuite,” fait ele, “un poi t’arenge! Quides tu que ton mal me prenge? N’en aies doute, non fera.” “A! Deu!” fait il, “ce que sera? A lui parler point ne m’ennoie.” O le puiot sovent s’apoie. “Diva! malades, molt es gros! Tor la ton vis et ça ton dos; Ge monterai conme vaslet.” Et lors s’en sorrist li deget. Torne le dos, et ele monte. Tuit l’esgardent, et roi et conte. Ses cuises tient sor son puiot, L’un pié sorlieve et l’autre clot; Sovent fait senblant de choier, Grant chiere fait de soi doloir. Yseut la bele chevaucha Janbe deça, janbe dela. Dist l’un a l’autre: “Or esgardez .......... Vez la roïne chevauchier Un malade cui fet clochier! Pres qu’il ne chiet de sor la planche; Son puiot tient desoz sa hanche. Alon encontre cel mesel A l’issue de cest gacel!” La corurent li damoisel ..........

3912

3916

29a

3920

3924

3928

3932

3936

3940

3944

3948

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Li rois Artus cele part torne, Et li autre trestot a orne. Li ladres ot enclin le vis; De l’autre part vint el païs. Yseut se lait escolorgier, Li ladres prent a reperier; Au departir li redemande, La bele Yseut, anuit viande. Artus dist: “Bien l’a deservi. Ha, roïne, donez la li!” Yseut la bele dist au roi: “Par cele foi que je vos doi, Forz truans est, asez en a; Ne mangera hui ce qu’il a. Soz sa chape senti sa guige. Rois, s’aloiere n’apetiche; Les pains demiés et les entiers Et les pieces et les quartiers Ai bien parmié le sac sentu. Viande a, si est bien vestu. De vos sorchauz, se les veut vendre, Puet il cinq soz d’esterlins prendre; Et de l’aumuce mon seignor Achat berbiz, si soit pastor, Ou un asne qui past le tai. Il est herlot, si que jel sai. Hui a suï bone pasture, Trové a gent a sa mesure. De moi n’en portera qui valle Un sol ferlinc ne une maalle!” Grant joie en menent li dui roi. Amené ont son palefroi; Montée l’ont, d’iluec tornerent. Qui ont armes, lors bohorderent. Tristran s’en vet du parlement, Vient a son mestre, qui l’atent. Deus chevaus riches de Castele Ot amené[s], o frain, o sele, Et deus lances et deus escuz (Molt les out bien desconneüz.)

215

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3956 29b

3960

3964

3968

3972

3976

3980

3984

3988

216

Critical Edition

Des chevaliers que vos diroie? Une guinple blanche de soie Out Governal sor son chief mise; N’en pert que l’uel en nule guise. Arire s’en torne le pas; Molt par out bel cheval et cras. Tristran rot le Bel Joëor; Ne puet on pas trover mellor. Costes, ilier, estrier[s] et targe Out covert d’une noire sarge. Son vis out covert d’un noir voil: Tot ot covert, et chief et poil. A sa lance ot l’enseigne mise Que la bele li ot tramise. Chascun monte sor son destrier; Chascun out çaint le brant d’acier. Einsi armé, sor lor chevaus, Par un vert pré entre deus vaus Sordent sus en la Blanche Lande. Gauvains, li niés Artus, demande Gerflet: “Vez en la deus venir Qui molt vienent de grant aïr? Nes connois pas; ses tu qu’il sont?” “Ges connois bien,” Girflet respont. “Noir cheval a, et noire enseigne: Ce est li Noirs de la Montaigne. L’autre connois as armes vaires, Qar en cest païs n’en a gaires. Il so[n]t faé, gel sai sanz dote.” Icil vindre[n]t fors de la rote, Les escus pris, lances levees, Les enseignes as fers fermees. Tant bel portent lor garnement Conme s’il fusent né dedenz. Li rois Marc et li rois Artus Des deus parolent assez plus Qu’il ne font de lor deus conpaignes Qui sont laïs es larges plaignes. Es rens perent li dui sovent, Esgardé sont de mainte gent;

29c

3992

3996

4000

4004

4008

4012

4016

4020

4024

29d 4028

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Parmié l’angarde ensenble poignent Mais ne trovent a qui il joigne[n]t. La roïne bien les connut; A une part du renc s’estut, Ele et Brengain. Et Andrez vint Sor son destrier; ses armes tint. Lance levee, l’escu pris, A Tristran saut en mié le vis. Nu connoisoit de nule rien, Et Tristran le connoisoit bien; Fiert l’en l’escu, en mié la voie L’abat et le braz li peçoie; Devant les piez a la roïne Cil jut sanz lever sus l’eschine. Governal vit le forestier Venir des tre[s] sor un destrier, Qui vout Tristran livre[r] a mort En la forest, ou dormoit fort. Gran[t] aleüre a lui s’adrece, Ja ert de mort en grant destrece. Le fer trenchant li mist el cors; O l’acier bote le cuir fors. Cil chaï mort si c’onques prestre N’i vint a tens ne n’i pot estre. Yseut, qui ert et franche et sinple, S’en rist doucement soz sa ginple. Gerflet et Cinglor et Ivain, Tolas et Coris et Vauvain Virent laidier lor conpaigno[n]s. “Seignors,” fait Gauvains, “que ferons? Li forestier gist la, baé; Saciez que cil dui sont faé; Ne tant ne quant nes connoison[s]. Or nos tienent il por briçons. Brochons a eus, alons les prendre!” “Quis nos porra,” fait li rois, “rendre, Molt nos avra servi a gré.” Tristran se trait aval au g[u]é Et Governal; outre passerent. Li autre sirre nes oserent,

217

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4052

4056

4060 30a 4064

4068

218

Critical Edition

En pais remestrent, tuit estroit; Bien penserent fantosme soit. As herberges vuelent torner, Qar laisié out le bohorder. Artus la roïne destroie; Molt li senbla brive la voie ............ Qui la voie aloignast sor destre. Decendu sont a lor herberges. En la lande ot assez herberges; Molt en costerent li cordel. En leu de jonc et de rosel, Glagié avoient tuit lor tentes. Par chemins vienent et par sentes. La Blanche Lande fu vestue; Maint chevalier i out sa drue. Cil qui la fu enz en la pree De maint grant cerf ot la menee. La nuit sejornent a la lande. Chascun rois sist a sa demande. Qui out devices n’est pas lenz; Li uns a l’autre fait presenz. Ly rois Artus, aprés mengier, Au tref roi Marc vait contoier; Sa privee maisnie maine. La ot petit de dras de laine; Tuit li plusor furent de soie. Des vesteüres que diroie? Se laine i out, ce fu en graine: Escarlate, cel drap de laine. Molt i ot gent de riche ator. Nus n’i vit deus plus riches corz: Mestier nen est dont la nen ait. Es pavellons ont joie fait; La nuit devisent lor afaire: Conment la franche debonere Se doit deraisnier de l’enseigne Voiant les rois et lor conpaigne. Couchier s’en vait li rois Artus O ses barons et o ses druz.

4072

4076

4080

4084

4088

4092

4096 30b 4100

4104

4108

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Maint calemel, mainte troïne, Qui fust la nuit en la gaudine Oïst an pavellon soner. Devant le jor prist a toner; A fermeté fu de chalor. Li gaite o[n]t corné le jor. Par tot conmencent a lever; Tuit sont levé sanz demorer. Li soleuz fu chauz sor la prime; Choiete fu et nielle et frime. Devant les tentes as deux rois Sont asenblé Corneualois; N’out chevalier en tot le reigne Qui n’ait o soi a cort sa feme. Un[s] dra[s] de soie a paile bis Devant le tref au roi fu mis; Sor l’erbe vert fu estenduz. Ovrez fu en bestes, menuz. (Li dras fu achaté en Niques.) En Cornoualle n’ot reliques En tresor ne en filatieres, En aumaires n’en autres serres, En fiertres n’en escrinz n’en chases, En croiz d’or ne d’argent n’en mases, Sor le paile nes orent mises, Arengiés, par ordre asises. Li roi se traient une part; Faire i volent loial esgart. Li rois Artus parla premier, Qui de parler fu prinsautier. “Rois Marc,” fait il, “qui te conselle Tel outrage, si grant mervelle, Certes,” fait il, “cil se desloie. Tu es legier a metre en voie; Ne doiz croire parole fause. Trop te fesoit amere sause Qui parlement te fist joster; Molt li devroit du cors coster Et ennuier, qui[l] voloit faire. La franche Yseut, la debonere,

219

4112

4116

4120

4124

(ms. 4128) 4128 (ms. 4127)

4132 30c

4136

4140

4144

4148

220

Critical Edition

Ne veut respit ne terme avoir. Cil püent bien de fi savoir Qui vendront sa deresne prendre Que ges ferai encore pendre Qui la reteront de folie Pus sa deresne, par envie; Digne seroient d’avoir mort. Or orez, roi, qui ara tort. La roïne vendra avant Si qel verront petit et grant; Et si jurra o sa main destre Sor les corsainz, au roi celestre, Qu’el onques n’ot amor conmune A ton nevo, ne deus ne une, Que l’en tornast a vilanie, N’amor ne prist par puterie. Dan Marc, trop a ice duré; Qant ele avra eisi juré, Di tes barons qu’il aient pes!” “Ha! sire Artus, qu’en pus je mes? Tu me blasmes et si as droit, Quar fous est qui envieus croit. Ges ai creüz outre mon gré. Se la deraisne est en cel pré, Ja n’i avra mais si hardiz, Se il aprés les escondiz En disoit rien se anor non, Qui n’en eüst mal gerredon. Ce saciez vos, Artus, frans rois, C’a esté fait, c’est sor mon pois. Or se gardent d’ui en avant!” Le consel departent atant. Tuit s’asistrent par mié les rens, Fors les deus rois: c’est a grant sens; Yseut fu entre eus deus as mains. Pres des reliques fu Gauvai[n]s; La mesnie Artus, la proisie, Entor le paile est arengie. Artus prist la parole en main, Qui fu d’Iseut le plus prochain:

4152

4156

4160

4164

30d

4168

4172

4176

4180

4184

4188

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

“Entendez moi, Yseut la bele; Oiez de qoi on vos apele: Que Tristran n’ot vers vos amor De puteé ne de folor Fors cele que devoit porter Envers son oncle et vers sa per.” “Seignors,” fait el, “por Deu merci! Saintes reliques voi ici. Or escoutez que je ci jure, De quoi le roi ci aseüre: Si m’aït Deus et Saint Ylaire, Ces reliques, cest saintuaire, Totes celes qui ci ne sont Et tuit icil de par le mont, Q’entre mes cuises n’entra home Fors le ladre qui fis sorsome, Qui me porta outre le gué, Et le roi Marc, mon esposé. Ces deus ost de mon soirement; Ge n’en ost plus de tote gent. De deus ne me pus escondire: Du ladre, du roi Marc, mon sire. Li ladres fu entre mes janbes ............ Qui voudra que je plus en face, Tote en sui preste en ceste place.” Tuit cil qui l’ont oï jurer Ne püent pas plus endurer. “Deus!” fait chascuns, “si fiere enjure! Tant en a fait aprés droiture! Plus i a mis que ne disoient Li felon, ni ne requeroient. Ne li covient plus escondit Q’avez oï, grant et petit. Fors du roi et de son nevo, Ele a juré et mis en vo Q’entre ses cuises nus n’entra Que li meseaus qui la porta Ier endroit tierce outre les guez, Et li rois Marc ses esposez.

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4196

4200

31a 4204

4208

4212

4216

4220

4224

4228

222

Critical Edition

Mal ait jamais l’en mesquerra!” Li niés Artur en piez leva; Le roi Marc a mis a raison Que tuit l’oïrent li baron: “Rois, la deraisne avon veüe Et bien oïe et entendue. Or esgardent li troi felon, Donoalent et Guenelon Et Goudoïne li mauvés, Qu’il n’e[n] parolent sol jamés! Ja ne serons en cele terre Que m’en tenist ne pais ne gerre, Des que j’orroie la novele De la roïne Yseut la bele, Que n’i allasse a esperon Li deraisnier par grant raison.” “Sire,” fait el, “vostre merci!” Molt sont de cort li troi haï. Les corz departent, si s’en vont. Yseut la bele o li chief blont Mercie molt le roi Artur. “Dame,” fait il, “jos asëur: Ne troverez mais qui vos die, Tant con j’aie santé ne vie, Nisune rien se anor non. Mal le penserent li felon. Ge prié le roi, vostre seignor, Et feelment, molt par amor, Que mais felon de vos ne croie.” Dist li roi Marc: “Se jel faisoie D’or en avant, si me blasmez!” Li uns de l’autre s’est sevrez, Chascun s’en vient a son roiaume: Li rois Artus vient a Durelme, Rois Marc remest en Cornoualle. Tristran sejorne, poi travalle. Li rois a Cornoualle en pes; Tuit le criment, et luin et pres. En ses deduiz Yseut en meine; De lié amer forment se paine.

4232

4236

31b 4240

4244

4248

4252

4256

4260

4264

4268

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Mais, qui q’ait pais, li troi felon Sont en esgart de traïson. A eus fu venue une espie Qui va querant changier sa vie. “Seignors,” fait il, “or m’entendez; Se je vos ment, si me pendez. Li rois vos sout l’autrier mal gré Et vos enacuelli en hé Por le deraisne sa mollier. Pendre m’otroi ou essilier Se ne vos mostre apertement Tristran la ou son aise atent De parler o sa chiere drue; Il est repost, si sai sa mue. (Tristran set molt de Malpertis.) Qant li rois vait a ses deduis, En la chanbre vet congié prendre. De moi faciez en un feu cendre Se vos alez a la fenestre De la chanbre derier’ a destre, Se n’i veez Tristran venir, S’espee çainte, un arc tenir, Deus seetes en l’autre main; Enuit l’i verrez venir main.” “Conment le sez?” “Je l’ai veü.” “Tristran?” “Je, voire, et conneü.” “Qant i fu il?” “Hui main l’i vi.” “E qui o lui?” “Cil son ami.” “Ami? Et qui?” “Dan Governal.” “Ou se sont mis?” “En haut ostal Se deduient.” “C’est chiés Dinas?” “Et je que sai?” “Il n’i sont pas Sanz son seü.” “Asez puet estre.” “O[l] verro[n] nos?” “Par la fenestre De la chanbre; ce est tot voir. Se gel vos mostre, grant avoir En doi avoir, quant l’en ratent.” “Nomez l’avoir.” “Un marc d’argent, Et plus assez que la pramesse, Si nos aït iglise et messe.

223

4272 31c 4276

4280

4284

(ms. 4286) (ms. 4285) 4288

4292

4296

4300

4304

4308 31d

224

Critical Edition

Se tu[l] mostres, n’i puez fallir Ne te façon amanantir.” “Or m’entendez,” fait li cuvert. “Un petit pertus a overt Endroit la chanbre la roïne; Par dedevant vet la cortine. Triés la chanbre est grant la doiz, Et bien espés li jaglo[lo]iz. L’un de vos trois i aut matin. Par la fraite du nuef jardin Voist belement tresque au pertus; (Fors a senestre n’i aut nus). Faites une longue brochete A un coutel, bien agü(c)ete. Poigniez le drap de la cortine O la broche poignant d’espine. La cortine souavet sache Au pertuset, c’on ne le sache, Que tu voies la dedenz cler Qant il venra a li parler. S’issi t’en p[re]n sol trois jorz garde, Atant otroi que l’en m’en arde Se ne veez ce que je di.” Fait chascun d’eux: “Je vos afi A tenir nostre covenant.” L’espie font aler avant. Lors devisent li ques d’eus trois Ira premier voier l’orlois Que Tristran a la chanbre maine O celié qui seue est demeine. Otroié ont que Goudoïne Ira au premierain termine. Departent soi, chascun s’en vet; Demain savront con Tristran sert. Deus! la franche ne se gardot Des felons ne de lor tripot. Par Perinis, un suen prochain, Avoit mandé que l’endemain Tristran venist a lié matin (Li rois iroit a Saint Lubin.)

4312

4316

4320

4324

4328

4332

4336

4340

32a

4344

4348

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

Oez, seignors, qel aventure! L’endemain fu la nuit oscure. Tristran se fu mis a la voie Par l’espesse d’un espinoie. A l’issue d’une gaudine Garda, vit venir Goudoïne Qui s’en venoit de son recet. Tristran li a fet un aget; Repost se fu a l’espinoi. “Ha! Deus,” fait il, “regarde moi! Que cil qui vient ne m’aperçoive Tant que devant moi le reçoive!” En sus l’atent; s’espee tient. Goudoïne autre voie tient. Tristran remest, a qui molt poise; Ist du buison, cele part toise Mais por noient, quar cil s’esloigne, Qui en fel leu a mis sa poine. Tristran garda au luien, si vit – Ne demora que un petit – Denoalan venir anblant O deus levriers mervelles grant. Afustez est a un pomier. Denoalent vint le sentier Sor un petit palefroi noir. Ses chiens out envoié mover En une espoise un fier sengler. (Ainz qu’il le puisen[t] desangler Avra lor mestre tel colee Que ja par mire n’ert sanee.) Tristra[n] li preuz fu desfublez. Denoalen est tost alez; Ainz n’en sout mot quant Tristran saut. Fuïr s’en veut, mais il i faut; Tristran li fu devant trop pres. Morir le fist. Q’en pout il mes? Sa mort queroit; cil s’en garda, Que le chief du bu li sevra. Ne li lut dire: “Tu me bleces!”

225

4352

4356

4360

4364

4368

4372

4376

32b 4380

4384

4388

226

Critical Edition

O l’espee trencha les treces, En sa chauce les a boutees. (Qant les avra Yseut mostrees, Qu’ele l’en croie qu’il l’a mort!) D’iluec s’en part Tristran a fort. “Hélas!” fait il, “qu’est devenuz Goudouïne – ou s’est toluz – Que vi venir orainz si tost? Est il passez? Ala tantost? S’il m’atendist, savoir peüst Ja mellor gerredon n’eüst Que Do[n]alan, li fel, enporte, Cui j’ai laisié la teste morte.” Tristran laise le cors gesant Enmié la lande, envers, sanglent. Tert s’espee si l’a remise En son fuerre; sa chape a prise, Le chaperon el chief sei met. Sor le cors un grant fust a tret. A la chanbre sa drue vint – Mais or oiez con li avient! Goudoïne fu acoruz, Et fu ainz que Tristran venuz. La cortine ot dedenz percie; Vit la chanbre, qui fu jonchie, Tot vit, quant que dedenz avoit; Home fors Perinis ne voit. Brengain i vit, la damoisele, Ou out pignié Yseut la bele; Le pieigne avoit encor o soi. Li fel qui fu a la paroi Garda, si vit Tristran entrer, Qui tint un arc d’aubor anter. En sa main tint ses deus seetes, En l’autre deus treces longuetes. Sa chape osta, pert ses genz cors. Iseut, la bele o les crins sors, Contre lui lieve, sil salue. Par sa fenestre vit le nue

4392

4396

4400

4404

4408

4412 32c 4416

4420

4424

4428

The Romance of Tristran by Beroul and Beroul II

De la teste de Goudoïne. De grant savoir fu la roïne (D’ire tresue sa persone). Yseut Tristran en araisone: “Se Deus me gart,” fait il, “au suen, Vez les treces Denoalen; Ge t’ai de lui pris la venjance. Jamais par lui escu ne lance N’iert achatez ne mis en pris.” “Sire,” fait ele, “ge q’en puis? Mes prié vos que cest arc tendez, Et verron com il est bendez.” Tristran s’esteut, si s’apensa. Oiez! En son penser tensa; Prent s’entente, si tendi l’arc. Enquiert noveles du roi Marc; Yseut l’en dit ce qu’ele en sot ............ (S’il en peüst vis eschaper, Du roi Marc et d’Iseut sa per Referoit sordre mortel gerre. Cil, qui Deus doinst anor conquerre! L’engardera de l’eschaper.) Yseut n’out cure de gaber: “Amis, une seete encorde, Garde du fil qu’il ne retorde. Je voi tel chose dont moi poise; Tristran, de l’arc nos pren ta toise.” Tristran s’estut, si pensa pose; Bien sot q’el voit aucune chose Qui li desplaist. Garda en haut. Grant poor a, trenble et tressaut; Contre le jor, par la cortine Vit la teste de Godoïne: “Ha! Deus, vrai roi, tant riche trait Ai d’arc et de seete fait; Consentez moi que cest ne falle! Un des trois feus de Cornoualle Voi, a grant tort, par la defors. Deus, qui le tuen saintisme cors

227

4432

4436

4440

4444

4448 32d 4452

4456

4460

4464

4468

228

Critical Edition

Por le pueple meïs a mort, Lai moi venjance avoir du tort Que cil felon muevent vers moi!” Lors se torna vers la paroi, Son arc ot entesé, si trait. La seete si tost s’en vait, Riens ne peüst de lui gandir; Par mié l’uel la li fait brandir, Trencha le test et la cervele. Esmerillons ne arondele De la moitié si tost ne vole; Se ce fust une pome mole, N’issist la seete plus tost. Cil chiet, si se hurte a un post, Onques ne piez ne braz ne mut. Seulement dire ne li lut: “Bleciez sui! Deus! Confessïon . . .”

4472

4476

4480

4484

Rejected Readings

The manuscript, and especially the first folios, was in poor condition by the time that Ernest Muret undertook his first CFMA edition, published in 1903. The codex has deteriorated further since then; some difficult lines and words can be conjectured with the help of ultraviolet lamps, while others are more prudently represented by dots and brackets. Standard corrections are here listed without comment; more substantial and venturesome ones are discussed in the Notes. Emendations, followed by a bracket, precede rejected readings. I do not include scribal cancellations and corrections; for these, see the Diplomatic Edition. Manuscript abbreviations are resolved in superscript. 70 par] pas 75 la] ia 76 ja [son] s. 138 adous] adoul 156 a] o 208 sol] fol 213 Ne ce] N el 216 moz] mot 220 Que] Qui 230 je ne] se ie 231 ne nel] que ce 238 evrol] eutol 239 perte] sainte 243 (Deus missing) 263 molt a] nistra 274 gerredons] gerredon 301 fol] sol 306 croi] cro 318 fuir] fuirs 319 que il] Que l 328 nains Frocins] nais frocis (?) 329 cel] ceus 346 doi] doit 364 au roi] a toi 366 conplains] conpains 379 Qu’il n’a cure] Que lnacore 382 son mestre] son oncle 404 soz] sor 418 je lui dui] je dis lui 421 cuvert] cuuent 430 donge] doige 433 Molt; conplainst] M lt; conplaint 468 N’en crerra] N enterra 470 comme] dame 504 nos] nes 585 Ne] N en 591 tel] cel 593 plusors] plisors 600 roi] ro 610 fist] fus 621 ne nos] N osnos 624 nel] nes 625 t’avon] taron 629 ma vergonde ait] meuerderoit 645 Frocin] frociz 648 cui] qui 651 qu’il aut] quilalle 652 un brief] J.deus 657 li]lui 658 por ce] P ordeu 665 outreement] autrement 669 si li] se li 678 Qui] que 687 saluez] saluer 688 sejornez] seioner 716 le jor] l eroi 728 fist] fut 732 Li sancqui’n ist] L esanc qui ennist 763 gisoit] gegoit 767 le sanc] lesaut 768 furent] furet 772 an; prendre] a; prenent 775 le/le] la/la 819 ne vout il] neseuout uers 825 por qoi] poqoi

230

Rejected Readings

835 qu’en] que 838 sera] seras 846 si seroiz] ceseroit 850 tost] tos 862 feus] fel 865 li] i 867 querre] quiert 878 tabois] tibois 888 ire] ice 894 laisiez] l aisien 916 chapele a sor] chapele et sor 922 atoise] aaise 956 jus] sus 957 font en la glise] sont enligliglise 981 que] qui 1000 fil] fiz 1022 ocie] ocient 1039 fait] sait 1044 ses] son 1055 je m’escor] iemesior 1061 felon] felons 1074 s’esfroïrent] sesfroierent 1083 Amenee] Dmenee 1106 sa] vos 1116 lointain reigne] loherreigne 1138 l’estruit] lefruit 1167 rien soi] nen soi 1171 brese] prese 1176 Et que] et qui 1183 Gré t’en savrai] G eten savra 1187 Qui orendroit] Qui ensauroit 1190 Ivains] J viains 1191 Jel te] J ete 1192 conpaignons] conpaignos 1198 cors] drap 1201 vins] vin 1209 hus] hues 1212 le] si 1246 Yvains] Yvain 1250 Yvains] Yvain 1257 n’en vost] nen ost 1262 vient] viet 1272 Tristran] tristra 1276 jurent] juret 1283 enpenees] enpenes 1287 font] sont 1290 brant] bnt 1301 la] li 1307 nains] nais 1308 Nel sot] Nesot 1311 Li nains] L inan 1318 foi] soi 1325 du] de 1326 par foi] parsoi 1336 S’avint] S envint 1348 Que] Qui 1354 sor le destrier] sot letertrier 1361 trestornent] testornent 1364 meinent] meinet 1367 hermites] hermite 1380 Deus] Deu 1386 n’ele] bele 1392 sanz repentance] souz penitance 1398 delungement] delugement 1401 j’aime] ian 1403 an est] auoit 1421 jurent] juret 1424 let] lez 1438 a an] a a 1443 bauz] beaus; lenz] lez 1444 Husdanz] husganz 1446 gardoit] gradoit 1456 c’ert dolors] ce ert duel 1463 poon nos] poonos 1467 an son] a son 1486 le chien criement] lichi en crint 1503 an la] ama 1505 Si part] L ipart 1511 bauz] blans 1526 Dont] D nt 1530 tentist] tenti 1535 sont esfroï] sont en esfroi 1537 un’] une 1538 esmaient] esmaie 1543 Le chief hoque, la queue crole] L echief laqueue la que role 1553 bani] hai 1574 sa beste prent] sabstepnt 1576 Qu’un] qus uns 1577 uns forestiers] .i. forestier 1578 Ainz] P uis 1591 Tristran] T ristra 1598 ja] ie 1601 tel] cel 1608 brachez] brachet 1613 chiens] chien 1626 isnele et] isnel ne 1642 li bans] libois 1643 prendre] pendre 1650 Mais] Q ar 1655 el] il 1660 Les chiens; por] L ichiens, par 1662 erent si eschis] eretsieschis 1663 uns sos] .i. sol 1669 sos] sol 1683 C’erent] C eret 1685 vint] vit 1691 il le cache] ilestache 1693 sur un marbre] soz .i. arbre 1698 de la rancune] delauenture 1706 le cerf] licerf 1711 Li chief] Le chief 1719 antandu] atendu 1726 Fust por chacier] Fupuis chacie 1728 plus; gast] pus; gaut 1730 Chaut tens] C hautens 1737 la ramee] sa ramee 1741 ses] son 1751 erent] eret 1755 dains] dais 1785 ne le sent] nesesent 1790 La ou] L ou 1794 grive] give 1807 out Yseut vestue] out vestue 1812 des noces le roi] des con leroi 1814 li doiz gresliz] lirois gentiz 1827 Uns rais] J. rain 1831 qu’eus] que eus 1850 cort a] nest pa 1853 dormoient]

Rejected Readings

231

dormoit 1854 estoient] estoit 1869 vint] vit 1881 fors] uus 1883 m’entent] mes coute 1892 poi a] poie 1905 ll. 1910–12 misplaced here, recopied after 1908 1910 la on] laou 1935 sor] sanz 1945 cuvertise] cortoifise 1951 Molt] M lt 1952 c’est] ces 1974 Gascoigne] gasconigne 1978 lie] lient 1988 Li forestiers s’en vet] L eforestri entre 1990 rois] ros 2029 Que] O r 2032 Uns ganz de vair rai] V ns granz devoirre ai 2034 Li rais] L irois 2038 au; blos] an; bbos 2048 Molt] M lt 2075 Li gant] L egant 2079 est] sest 2094 voire] vorre 2113 quant] si 2117 veut] voist 2122 esfreer] demorer 2130 a ja] avra 2138 lovendrins; vins] loucuendris; vin 2142 en pruva] en prima 2146 las n’en sui] los men fui 2177 autre terre] autres terres 2178 querre] querres 2191 acordee] acorder 2192 qui’st esposee] quest esposer 2199 dementoit] dementot 2205 sont] sot 2210 rien, qar trop mesprist] mais qar jiai trop pris 2220 el] il 2225 acordement] acordemet 2249 Roïne] T oine 2253 soufraite] soufrance 2268 tornasmes] tornastes 2269 cel] son 2297 durra] dura 2322 si] se 2332 qu’il] queli 2340 consel en avrez] conselauerez 2362 li] lui 2367 qu’en] que 2380 an ot] auoit 2391 vos] pus 2419 anmi la lande] ami latende 2423 quant] que 2433 le] li 2439 Beaus sire Ogrins] b eausire ogrin 2449 La nuit] Q anuit 2456 merville] meruelle 2458 tresque en] tres que enz en 2462 soin] son 2463 adés] apres 2468 fenestrier] senestrier 2483 Ogrins] ogris 2484 queil] queuil 2492 tresque; et el] t res qua; et eus 2496 qu’il] que il; parole] pole 2507 du roi Marc] duromenz 2508 son arc] sonent 2514 Le] Li 2527 liz] liez 2528 sera] furet 2536 Face] F acent 2566 losengier] los entra 2573 Qu’onques] Q ionques 2582 Nos] V os 2589 Gen] Genen 2604 s’or] fort 2608 hon] buen 2632 escoz] cornoz 2637 que la] la 2642 brief] bief 2655 sait; l’estre] sout; lestrait 2661 repenre] repenra 2664 hon; an] rois; a 2683 por la soufrete] poi lai souferte 2684 fort] fors 2700 ce m’est] cemert 2737 chainsil] chailil 2738 blans; lis] blanc; lil 2740 atorné] atornez 2749 an ont] avez 2755 Tuit quatre tes 2772 ot son] et soz 2780 m’amastes] lamastes 2783 porron] porroit 2799 errant] tost 2847 qui’st de] qui de 2850 Lal] La 2863 soffre] sueffre 2875 se] le 2877 voirs; loiaus] vairs; ioiaus 2904 Q’Yseut] Que yseut 2924 une] mie 2948 sa] uos 2968 portendue] pertendue 2974 li] si 2984 bel] ber 3003 le jor] le roi 3005 ne li] nen 3009 a vint] et .xx. 3011 rente] cente 3012 let le chemin. prent une sente] lez le chemin lez .i. sente 3017 Orris] orri 3018 trova] troue 3024 O] Or 3025 souterrin] son terrin 3027 Sot] S oit 3029 en est] avoit 3056 Cornot] cort not 3057 reter] blasmer 3072 s’iraise] se taise 3074 N’avez] N auet 3085 baron] barbon 3089 decendus] decendu 3095 fin] fins 3097 nul] nus 3102 venus] venu 3113 consellier] consentir

232

Rejected Readings

3121 Icest] C est 3140 l’ont] ont 3165 le dit] li dit 3166 lenz] loinz 3177 qui] si 3193 del] des 3220 quel[s]] quel 3231 an pes] apres 3245 s’il] se il; de juïse] deiude 3246 si roide guise] loi deiuice 3249 Li rois Artus] L iroi artus 3263 por c’est bien; soit] porce est biens; set 3266 evres] eure 3273 miens] mien 3280 as] a 3286 ses chevaliers] sa mes nie 3296 j’i] je 3300 o soi] osai 3306 ja set] I lset 3313 par foi] parsoi 3365 en puie] enplez 3375 Vet; vaslez] V ez; vaslet 3383 vaslez] vaslet 3396 seoient] soient 3397 vaslez] vaslet 3406 voiant] uolez 3414 Gauvains] Gauvain 3426 franc] frans 3435 qu’ele] Que ele 3442 set] soit 3447 D’hui] D e hui 3448 en font] len font 3450 euilz] euil 3454 saint] sant 3455 qui la n’ira] quillararara 3457 Gauvains s’en] G au... sest 3462 Guenelons] plus felons 3464 an un fangoi] a .i. fangai 3470 pendroie] pendre 3483 Et dit 3484 Dinoalen] dinaalan 3494 Du roi joent] D e roiioiant 3501 a chief] achies 3518 qui’st; lons] qui est; lonc 3527 li parlemenz] de parlomenz 3531 l’out un poi] senblelipoi 3560 celi] celui 3587 ses] sel 3596 de nul] deviel 3602 G’i] J 3613 qu’] que 3616 S’asist] S afist 3619 au col] ancol 3643 gars] gras 3659 si parler] aparler 3674 rist] ist 3680 outre] estre 3683 Qui] Quil 3694 passer] parler 3696 an ait] auait 3701 qui la; seürs] qui les; seuez 3714 a] o 3723 rencïene] rentiene 3735 se rest] seserest 3738 Fins] Fait 3739 Artur] Artus 3751 F[re]re] f re 3752 grief] gief 3760 anz a] anz .i. 3773 comune] couine 3783 D ans rois] D an roi 3797 faigne] fange 3799 faigne] fange 3800 as auves] as leues 3807 fondent] fondet 3809 font] fonz 3823 flavele] flatele 3839 Donoalen] D onolen 3850 poacre] poacres 3877 lui] lie 3892 le poitrail] L apoiànture 3910 Qui l’empare] Qui empare 3919 sus] soz 3932 deget] degret 3935 sor] soz 3944 fet] set 3945 sor] soz 3963 forz] frorz 3966 s’aloiere n’apetiche] n’est pas petite 3975 past] port 3978 mesure] mesire 3988 amenés] amene 3992 Une] D ne 3995 le] du 3999 estriers] estrier 4000 sarge] targe 4002 ot] ait 4003 A] Que 4017 vaires] noires / uoires 4019 sont] sot 4020 vindrent] vindret 4022 as fers] aufers 4032 joignent] joignet 4033 La] J a 4046 des tres] destre 4048 la] sa 4049 Grant] G ran 4059 conpaignons] conpaignos 4063 nes connoisons] nesconnoison 4065 alon les prendre] silesprenon 4066 Quis; prendre] Qui es prindre 4068 au gué] auge 4081 cordel] corbel 4082 jonc] lonc 4083 glagié avoient tuit] L ogie avoit totes 4087 en la pree] enlapriee 4090 Chascun] C hascon 4095 privee] priveen 4098 vesteüres] uoteures 4102 ne vit; corz] niuit, cort 4103 Mestier] M aistre 4108 conpaigne] barnage 4111 troïne] traine 4116 ont corné] ot corner 4125 Uns dras] V ndrap 4129 achatés] achaté 4132 serres] ceres 4135 paile] pailes 4145 doiz croire] doit

Rejected Readings

233

trouer 4146 fesoit] feroit 4149 quil] qui 4158 rois] roi 4167 Dans] D an 4171 droit]tort 4182 le] li 4183 T uit] Quit 4186 fu] fait 4187 Artur, la p.] Artus le p. 4206 soi] sor 4208 esposez] esporez 4219 chascuns] chascune 4229 outre] entre 4232 Artur] artus 4240 Qu’il n’en parolent] Que il ne parrolen t 4241 seroie] serons 4245 allons] allasse 4255 Nisune; anor] N is nune; amor 4298 cel] cil 4300 Ou] Qui l 4311 Se tul mostres] S etu mostres 4317 chanbre] anbre 4324 agüete] agucete 4331 S’issi t’en prenz; garde] S eil si tenpnz; iarde 4378 puisent] puiset 4381 Tristran] T ristra 4395 qu’est] que est 4401 Donalan] doalan 4402 Qui]Que 4420 Li] L e 4422 anter] auter 4454 retorde] remorde 4463 riche] richest (?) 4472 se torna] satornera

Notes

NB. Throughout these notes, unless further expanded upon, “Reid” refers to a note in his The “Tristran” of Béroul: A Textual Commentary; “Braet/Raynaud de Lage II” refers to their Notes et Commentaires, the second volume of their Béroul, Tristran et Iseut; likewise citations from “Ewert,” “Gregory,” “Jonin,” and “Varvaro” designate their respective editions and translations. All of these works are listed in parts 1 and 2 of the Bibliography. 2 This is the beginning of the first preserved folio; it starts in midsentence and mid-couplet. The phrase senblant de rien refers to Iseut’s awareness that Marc is watching and listening. The word senblant, fortuitously appearing on the first line of the fragment, may be a key- word to much of the ensuing narrative; see Sargent-Baur, “Truth, Half-Truth, Untruth,” and the note on line 8. 3 Ami(e), in Old (as in Modern) French, can evoke more than one sort of relationship. Béroul here reveals to the reader the reality (that Tristran and Iseut are lovers), which Iseut will deny throughout this speech. 4 Oiez: the direct appeal to listeners, the first of many, blurs the distinction between author and declaimer (as in the chansons de geste). The poem was meant for public reading; see Ewert II, 76. 5f Iseut forestalls Tristran by her first words, “Sire Tristran,” distant and formal (thus also in 21 and 85, Sire alone in 31, 41, 79, 163, but merely Tristran in 18, 60, 69, 92, 172, 186, 219). These repetitions in the course of her long speech serve as a warning to him, and establish at the outset the tone of the playlet they are to improvise. (Their understanding is confirmed in 97–100.) See also Ewert’s interpretation of this opening episode, II, 69, 75–9.

Notes

235

8 Earlier editors have deciphered fait senblant con s’ele plore. 9–15 Largely illegible, owing to a tear and damp-damage. 20 Here is the first occurrence of folie, which is to be another keyword throughout the text; see Sargent-Baur, “Béroul’s Tristran and the Praise of Folie.” 20–5 This oath, taken before God and two human listeners (each of whom will understand it very differently), anticipates the equally ambiguous defence that Iseut will make later, 4197–4216. Oaths and truth-claims, very frequently with God called to witness them, will form a recurrent motif throughout the poem. 22 Ms.: Dex. For this indirect object the oblique case is needed, as in M1 (who prints Dé). All modern editors until now, though, print Dex or Deus. 41–3 Many proverbs were wrongly attributed to Solomon. Emending the plural traient (42) to the singular raient solves the problem of a singular direct object pronoun l’ identifying the relative pronoun qui as singular; see Ewert II, 82–3, Reid, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage II. All these scholars refer to Morawski #1048, although there we find respite, var. reynt. See also Morawski #1088, qui lo restore de penre. 43–9 Very unclear in the ms. 67–8 Like Reid (“On the Text,” 275–6, and Commentary) and Braet/ Raynaud de Lage II, 18, I suspect that these lines were inverted, and so have reordered them. On the scribe’s lapses, see Ewert I, 89–98. 69–70, 77–8 For such rhymes see Ewert II, 9, A4. 70 Emending to pas to par, as do all editors, still does not give a satisfactory line. See Reid on the various solutions proposed. 78–82 Very indistinct. 89–90 A loose construction. I accept Sandqvist’s suggestion of the colon at the end of 89; but see also Reid. The emendation of M0–M4 , followed here, gives an acceptable sense and eliminates the asymmetry of faire le mal et bien laissier. 97 Drue has none of the ambiguity of amie. 104 As a trusted retainer, Tristran not only had entrée into the royal chamber but also slept there (before being expelled from it) in this rather simple court. After Marc’s suspicions are allayed, Tristran will take to sleeping there again (569–72). 110–25 The folio is badly damaged by damp and a tear. 118–24 The felons’ perennial hostility to Tristran is never explained in the fragment of Béroul or of Béroul II.

236

Notes

124–5 Tristran is Marc’s nephew, a very close relationship in this period. If Marc should die without issue, Tristran could be a claimant to the throne. 135–42 Echoing Iseut’s allusion in 26–8 but at greater length, Tristran rehearses his slaying of the Morholt, thereby reminding the listening Marc of his debt to himself. 137 Ms.: O n or O u. Illingworth (“The Composition,” 70, note 86) persuasively suggests Or. 139–40 Ms.: pensis : vis. Syntax requires the oblique case for both adjectives; see M0 and Reid. 141–2 M’enarmai, l’enchaçai: Gregory’s word-divisions. Tristran’s statement about the Morholt does not really contradict Iseut’s in 28, “qant l’oceïstes”; according to Eilhart, Tristran did not kill the Morholt outright but gave him a head wound; of this he died while returning to Ireland. 146–7 The subject of ait may be personal or impersonal (Ewert II: “Does he think that he will not suffer for it …?” but we note that the verb is present subjunctive; Gregory: “Does he really think he does me no wrong?”) Reid and Braet/Raynaud de Lage II take pechié to mean “guilt” and en as having the sense “in so doing.” Lacy points out that the lovers are careful not to accuse the king of anything more than listening to advisors hostile to Tristran; see Early French Tristran Poems. 147–56 Another damaged section, partially readable. Tristran postulates two ways of exculpating himself from the rumours: judicial ordeal or judicial combat. The latter is ruled out, for no one would come forward to fight with him. There remains the ordeal by fire; in theory an innocent person would not be harmed by it. Tristran extends this protection of the innocent to include even the penitential hair-shirt he would have on; one singed hair thereof would be a sufficient proof of guilt. All editors correct o batalle (156) to a batalle; as for s’atort, I adopt the emendation of Reid and Gregory. 161 “Across the sea”: there is no indication of which sea, nor of which land he had left. Clearly Tristran is not a native of Cornwall; he twice mentions the possibility of going to Loinois/Loinoi (2310, 2868, now usually identified as Lothian in southeastern Scotland) if he should leave Cornwall. 161–2 These lines have been variously interpreted. If the verb in 162 is vol and not vel, it concurs with the preterite in 161 and refers to Tristran’s coming to Cornwall, not a projected return home. My reading agrees with that of Reid, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, and Gregory.

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180–223 This whole exchange is punctuated with forms of savoir bien. 185–90 The folio is damaged. In 185 the ms. may give c el. 187 Muret2–4 proposed reading imais; Gregory suggests mais ja; either would suit the context. 210 Ms.: avot; so in Ewert, whose glossary gives “acknowledge as vassal.” This is dubious as to sense, and the rhyme is false. Poirion retains it. M4 proposed emending to anort, which I adopt, as do Walter and Gregory. 211–15 An obscure passage (and 213 is syntactically impenetrable, hence my emendation). Ewert translates: “I never had anything belonging to King Mark and even if I did, my uncle would wish before the year is out that he had never harboured such a thought, even at the price of his own weight in gold.” See also Braet/Raynaud de Lage. Gregory takes 213–14 as referring to the past. 217–26 The folio is damaged, and less than clear. At 219 Muret1 and Ewert read a capital P. 224 Ms.: a voir; emendation of Muret2–4 and Reid, adopted by Gregory. 230–1 Ms.: Certes seie sui pas siosse Qe ce vos di por averte. Reid offers several possible emendations; I print that of M0, with a full stop after 230. 235–7 The perron with definite article is not easy to identify. The work often means “mounting-block,” but this hardly belongs in a garden. Perhaps “edge of the fountain” or “stone bench”? 237 tot sol: Tristran’s soliloquy is in fact directed at the hidden listener. 243 The dex is missing; see 238. 248 Ms.: h omnu. A knight was “naked” without his arms and armour. That he normally carried his sword or had it close by him was taken for granted. Tristran will be seized in his bed and sent swordless (1009) to his execution; Governal’s bringing both weapon and bodyarmour (971–1016) and riding a horse (966, 1245) will make all the difference. 250 With Gregory, I take the ms. future perfect manra (usually printed mavra) as a scribal misreading of *maia (= *ma ja). Perhaps manra/ mavra is due to the future estovra of 249. 251–66 The folio has been much damaged. 254 Ms. a mon; Reid’s emendation to de based on the conjectured end of Tristran’s self-defensive monologue: “he would know little of my heart, anyone who …” All previous editors have retained a and understood the line variously; Gregory keeps a but translates “of my heart.”

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255–7 Illegible. (Tristran’s departure may have been mentioned here; see 285.) 258 The unreadable letters have been conjectured to be [en larbr]e (Muret, Ewert) or [le mar]bre (Gregory). Since both tree and marble block have been spoken of and will be again, a case could be made for either; see 349–50. 264 et passim. Tintaguel/Tintajol. A residence of King Marc, first located by Béroul on the northwest coast of Cornwall some thirty miles from the Mal Pas in southwest Cornwall. See note on 3150, and Ditmas, “The Invention of Tintagel.” 265–80 Is this passage to be taken as an interior monologue, or an audible soliloquy? 270 Emendation to [l] of M4 and Reid, adopted by Gregory. Sandqvist would retain the ms. reading here and in similar constructions. 277–84 A story current in the Middle Ages (see Ewert II). 284 Legible in the ms., but the meaning is debatable; see Ewert II with Tobler’s proposed emendation of En lié to El li. The problem lies in identifying the subjects of the verbs. In the context of thirst for vengeance on the part of the king, put in a ridiculous posture by a dwarf, the notion of Marc’s envisaging his own future regrets for punishing Frocin (=li?) is unlikely. Yet it is not clear how Constantine’s vengeance on Segoçon could have wronged the empress, whom he had surprised in flagrante. 289 Que may be for Qui, or may be a causal conjunction; see Ewert II and Braet/Raynaud de Lage. 298–305 On Marc’s misreading of signs, here and later in the Morrois (2001–13), see Sargent-Baur, “Truth, Half-Truth, Untruth,” 396–411. 303–5 My punctuation. See also Reid, Ewert’s response in II, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage II. 322–31 On these astronomical data, which place the scene in July before sunrise, see Henry, “Sur les vers 320–338,” and Braet/Raynaud de Lage II. 326 Ewert takes this to mean “when he learned of”; Poirion and Braet/ Raynaud de Lage II understand it similarly (yet the phrase seems to apply to all births throughout the kingdom). Gregory follows the text: “when he heard,” sc. a newborn’s cry; Lacy ventures “when he saw.” 328–34 Frocin will “deceive” his master in the sense of forestalling the fate predicted by the stars. He flees towards Wales and cannot be found (337, 385), yet will soon be brought back for advice (635–9). See Ewert II, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage, note.

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344 The missing line must have ended in -oit. Ewert suggests: “Demande li que el avoit” (see 2104). 345 Magistre: Brengain is Iseut’s Irish maid and confidante. 349–50 Ms.: estoit in both lines. Perhaps the first is from estre, the second from ester. See Ewert II. 357–8 The imperfects imply repetition. 362 The last word is very unclear in the ms. Editors print requis or dequis, but the infinitive requerre is normal in Béroul. 364 Ms.: a toi: a scribal error for au roi; standard correction. 379 Ms.: Qe lnacore; standard correction. 381 Maistre: Governal plays the roles of confidant, tutor, squire, and companion-in-arms. 390 Important personages did not normally go about alone; see 1926–40 et passim. 399 Puis, that is, since his banishment from the palace (?). 418–19 “Nothing,” i.e. about why he had sent for me (Reid); see Payen, trans. p. 15. Gregory (“Further Notes,” 3–4) argues that Ne me dist rien is equivalent to Modern French “Cela ne me dit rien” (= “I had no wish to”), but this meaning is not attested in Old French, as Gregory acknowledges. Ewert’s note is wide of the mark. Adding non in 419 is standard since Muret. 432 The last word ersoir (indistinct) is contradicted by 474. 432–5 Ms.: conplaint. I regularize the agreement of tenses; yet such inconsistency is frequent in this text. See Sandqvist and Braet/Raynaud de Lage. 439 Ms.: ne mentirez; Muret’s emendation, accepted by Reid but not Ewert and Braet/Raynaud de Lage II. Gregory gives, adventurously, de rien ne nient irez and translates “your anger is utterly groundless.” 444 Ms.: lostel laquitasse. The clause needs a direct object; my emendation is one of Reid’s suggestions. With Reid and Gregory, I take ostell to be scribal. 452 Reid suggests that Ne sol may be scribal for Nes sol; Gregory adopts this emendation. 466–70 Only partially legible. 467–8 Ms.: Tristrans : Corneulan (corrected in M0, not in M4 or Lacy; Ewert and Braet/Raynaud de Lage print -s at the end of each line). 470 Frocine with an -e appears thrice at the rhyme, here and at 1328 and 1349.

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492 I understand souef m’en ris to mean “I smiled” (even a chuckle would have been overheard). Hunt (24) proposes the drastic emendation Molt en soufris or Molt m’en soufris. For the ambiguous rire/ris, common in this text, see Sargent(-Baur), “Medieval ris, risus. Béroul, unlike his contemporaries, does not use sourire (yet Ménard, Le rire et le sourire, makes no mention of Béroul among twelfth-century authors not employing the word, while noting its absence in Chrétien de Troyes). 494–504 Braet/Raynaud de Lage note Iseut’s echoing of Marc’s false reasoning and language in 298–305 (which Iseut, though, had not overheard). 500–6 Only partially legible. 506 Ms.: que dex. Here and at 2835 I adopt Reid’s emendation to the familiar formula (see 2497 and 2587); for keeping the ms. reading, as Ewert, see his edition (but also Blakey, “Further Comments,” 129–30). 511–18 Brengain’s tale of Tristran’s enmity towards her seems gratuitous; yet it does reinforce the general theme of deception. See Béroul’s comment on his character’s performance. 516 Ms. For bien tost meaning “perhaps,” here and at 711, see Ewert II and Reid. 527 Iseut can permit herself to smile, or laugh, discreetly, at Brengain’s stratagem and/or the happy conclusion of her own manoeuvrings. Marc’s reaction is both stronger and simpler. 528 Brengain does not need to seek Tristran at his lodgings, as ordered (507), although he has had ample time to return there from the garden (285). 529–32 Presumably the paroi is the outer wall of the palace, and of the royal chamber as well; we shall see (2457–68) that the window of the latter opens to the outside (as does the rear pertus, 4314f.). Braet/ Raynaud de Lage read these lines as an interpolation “puisque aux v. 536ss. Brangain paraît avoir rejoint Tristan chez lui, où elle expose une situation nouvelle pour lui. Il n’était donc pas ‘à la paroi’.” Yet Béroul states that Tristran had heard both women speak with the king, and Brengain’s being here in his house (536) would fit her unexpected encounter with Tristran eavesdropping here, just outside the chamber and palace wall. She seemingly is unaware of what he has heard. 533 A line is missing. Muret conjectures “D’or en avant avra loisir.” 559–60 I invert these lines following Tanquerey’s suggestion (117), adopted by Lacy in his editions. For Tristran to accuse Marc of felonie would be insolent and provocative. Dannez, honie: i.e., if the charge were true.

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561 Braet/Raynaud de Lage draw attention to the frequent (and frequently insincere) invocation of the name of God: thirty-two times from line 5 to here. 562 For cil see the plural ceus, 540. 576 Some translators have taken cline as “winks,” but see 3482 and Reid’s note. 585 Editors retain N’en; yet en duplicates de son pays. 603 Ms.: T uit ensenble ont ce consis. Gregory emends to Tuit ensenblë ont ce consis, taking ce as a pronoun, but there is no expressed antecedent, and ont consis (= have followed) anticipates the action of 604f. I concur with Muret, Ewert II, et al. 607–26 Braet/Raynaud de Lage draw attention to the barons’ repeated use of the second person singular (except in 621–2): “un tu d’insolence relative.” 608–12 Only partially legible. 614 For the first person plural ending -on see Ewert II, 23 614–17 The barons’ accusation is that Marc is aware of the situation and condones it, thus scanting honour and duty; they will no longer tolerate this open scandal. 620 A hypometrical line; my solution. 624 Ms.: nes. Sandqvist argues, unpersuasively, for keeping it (ne les, i.e., not them = our neighbours). 625 Why taron … parti (future perfect, retained in other editions) rather than tavon … parti (compound past) is unclear, since the barons have already stated their ultimatum. As for jeu parti, the term denotes more than a mere choice: it is a dilemma, for each of the two possible outcomes (dismissing Tristran or losing their support and having them as enemies) is undesirable. 629 Ms.: mevergonder oit, with second r cancelled; oit emended to ait (a standard correction since Muret). 636 Latin: the learned language, and by extension learning in general. 650, 684 If Carduel is Carlisle, as most scholars think, the distance to it from Marc’s residence in western Cornwall is very considerable, requiring a ride of some weeks. This length of absence presumably enters into the dwarf’s calculations. 651 Hypermetrical, and the first person present subjunctive is uncalled for. For the verb-forms I follow Reid, retaining alle (ms.: covienge, alle). Braet/Raynaud de Lage II disagree, as do Payen, Lacy, Poirion, and Gregory.

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657 Parler can suggest an amorous encounter; see 733–4 and ToblerLommatzsch VII, 291. 657–63 We note Frocin’s disrespectful way of referring to the queen, without name or title. 658 Ms.: P ordeu; Muret’s correction, accepted by Reid (por ceu). Modern editors (except Poirion and Lacy) oddly retain Por Deu. 665–6 Ms.: tuit si home autrement; but Tristran’s only follower seems to be Governal. Marc, on the other hand, commands many men; yet in the event only the three felons (581, etc.) are mentioned; hence tuit ti home is also suspect. If this is an inconsistency, it is far from being the only one in the text. The hypermetrical line has been variously corrected; I follow Muret, as do Braet/Raynaud de Lage. The difficulty can be removed by inverting the lines: if Tristran goes to Iseut that night, Frocin will know of it and so will every one of Marc’s men. If Marc does not see it (sc. a clear sign of his going to her), he can kill Frocin. 668 Ms.: sortir. Gregory points out (“Further Notes,” 5, with references to 702 and 710) that what is involved is not divination but action. 669 Ms.: se, understood by Tanquerey and Reid as si; çole is from celer. See their notes. 677 If containers were lacking, medieval people sometimes used a fold of their clothing for transporting small measures of meal, etc. 681 Tristran is Marc’s chamberlain, and his only nightly guardian. 695 A lance-length would be some ten or twelve feet. 697–8 There are three garbled, rhyming, and repetitious lines in the ms. I print the standard emendation. The a laiorner (= at daybreak) of the ms. (698a) is manifest nonsense (see 692). 701f The whole episode takes place at night, but of course not in total blackness. Tristran watches Frocin sprinkling the flour, then sees him and Marc go out (722–4). There is enough (natural) light for him to leap to Iseut’s bed and back again (729–46). The dwarf returns with a candle; now king and barons see the blood on the floor, the sheets, and Tristran’s leg. 711–13 For bien tost as meaning “perhaps” see note on 516. I follow Reid’s punctuation here. 719–20 and 721–2 are inverted; the scribe has noted this in the margin. Bracketed line-numbers in the critical edition give the manuscript order. 725–6 Ms.: Dedenz la chanbre nout clartez / cirge ne lanpe alumez. The endings of the rhyme-words are wrong (clartez is here a plural)

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and may well be scribal errors for clarté, alumé (Reid corrects Ewert here, but Sandqvist unconvincingly disagrees). Clarté is the normal feminine singular, as is lanpe; cirge is masculine singular oblique. Reordering 726 to read lanpe ne cirgë also avoids having four successive lines on one rhyme (as most editors still print). Line 726 alerts us to the degree of midnight darkness in the chamber: it is clearly not total, for Tristran successfully jumps the not inconsiderable space between the two beds and back again. 736–8 He does not observe them by the moonlight (as in the translations of Payen, Gregory, Lacy, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage), but reads in the moon what is occurring; in 321–4 he similarly observed stars and planets, then too being out of doors. Walter and Poirion understand these lines as I do. 750–4 How Iseut, unaware of Tristran’s imminent departure and his rash plan to “speak” to her before leaving by leaping into the bed just vacated by the king, could have known of those potentially incriminating blood-stains in an ill-lit chamber, and how, even if she had suspected them (why should she?), she could have removed the sheets (what would she have done with them?) on the sudden return of Marc, are not matters that trouble Béroul, who needs the stains to drive the story forward. 755 The syntax requires deu (oblique case indicating possession), as Braet/Raynaud de Lage; see Reid. 755–6 I take this as parenthetical: an authorial anticipation of things to come. Walter expands 756 with “par la suite” (“later”), Gregory adds “[eventually].” 770 In the ms. the word could be read sanc or saut. Either would make sense. I lean towards saut (as do Braet/Raynaud de Lage I and II), partly because sanc has already appeared several times but mainly because with sanc this line would uselessly duplicate 766. 771 Owing to Béroul’s excitable and incremental way of presenting events, we learn only now that Marc has arrived accompanied by the three barons. 771–6 Some emendation is needed. In 771, the ms. sont may be a confusion for font, made by the scribe, who often confuses s and f. In 772 Sandqvist proposes an; Gregory prints a[n]. The change at the line’s end (Gregory, Sandqvist; offered with ? by Ewert), improves the false rhyme chanbre : prenent, and is acceptable syntactically (font prendre = prenent). The en of 776 may refer to Tristran, or to the situation. See the notes of Sandqvist and Braet/Raynaud de Lage.

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775 The ms. has la twice, perhaps a scribal error caused by la roïne in 774; emendation of M3. Gregory points out that the focus in 777f. is on Tristran; I add that Marc has threatened Tristran in 770, and we can suppose that the barons follow his lead. (It is unlikely that they would go so far as to threaten and insult the queen; they will bind her, 807, presumably on Marc’s orders.) 786 Li fel for Li felon; again, scansion trumps grammar. There is a blot between sire and venge. 789 Ms.: acorocier; so printed by Ewert. Muret prints a corocier, a word-division adopted by Gregory. 810 Ms.: Que escondire nulleust. I take the double l of nulleust to be a scribal error (nu = ne le). As for escondire, it is a transitive verb, here reflexive (see Ewert’s note with its translation “defend himself”). Reid suggests that “the reflexive object of escondire” remains unexpressed. Sandqvist in a long note gives examples of the enclisis of the masculine singular dative pronoun. 819–20 Ms: Por ce ne se vout vers le roi / Mesfaire soi …: two reflexive objects and no pronoun subject (Ewert, Reid). I adopt the emendation of Braet/Raynaud de Lage and Gregory. 821 Other editors let stand the ce que of the ms., in spite of the parallel construction in 822. 833–59 Here is the vox populi, raised in support of Tristran, the national saviour (in lieu of the cowardly native barons). 836 Ms.: ont fait prendre = ont pris (Reid: “possible”). 857–8 Inverted in the ms., with a scribal mark in the margin; standard correction. 861 Tuit must designate all the townspeople. (The barons, denounced in 848–52, say nothing.) 865 Ms.: Qui lipardonast. Braet/Raynaud de Lage print qu’il i but translate “il leur.” See Braet, “Remarques sur le texte de Béroul,” 49–50. (Here li must be for lui; the crowd have protested Tristran’s coming death more than Yseut’s.) 869 Braet/Raynaud de Lage explore two possible meanings but print the usual one taking tranchanz as a direct object. 873 Prime: the first of the canonical hours; roughly 6 a.m. 874 Ms.: L i banz (for Les, masculine plural oblique, a correction seemingly made by Muret alone). Since there is only one ban involved here, as in 1432, I emend to Le ban. The enor appears to be very small, for the ban seems to reach all of Marc’s subjects (except those in the wayside chapel, if any; see note on 957), and assemble them with great speed.

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891 Ms.: nel (a plural direct object is needed; standard correction. Both suspects are to be burned [883, 886–7].) 891–2 Gregory’s suggestion of inversion is persuasive. 902–8 The lovers were held in the palace. Tristran is led out first; Iseut, having called out to him as he leaves, awaits her turn at the stake (1071). 909–11 Damledé from Dominus Deus. Ezekiel 18:23: “Numquid voluntatis meae est mors impii? dicit Dominus Deus, ut non convertatur a viis suis, et vivat?” And 33:11: “Vivo ego, dicit Dominus Deus, nolo mortem impii, sed ut convertatur impius a via sua et vivat.” (In the Douay version these verses read: “Is it my will that a sinner should die, saith the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways, and live?” And, “As I live, saith the Lord God, I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way, and live.”) It seems to have escaped notice that Béroul omits the second half of each quotation – a point not without interest. 915–24 Editors have tried, variously, to make sense of these lines. Béroul’s description is unclear, beginning with devers bise (918). Ewert and Lacy give “facing north,” Gregory “faced north,” Braet/ Raynaud de Lage “face à la bise.” If Béroul had the siting of the façade (= face?) in mind, this would put the chancel, altar, and window through which Tristran jumps at the opposite (south) end of the church, a most unusual alignment (and away from the cliff). Indeed, even for the chancel to be at the north, rather than the east, end is not usual either. We might take the phrase as applying to the chapel as a whole, on the northernmost part of the cliff. Another problem turns on the material composition of the hill, the nature of the cliff-face, and the danger to a squirrel (and a fortiori a man) attempting to jump down it. Some scholars, following Muret, have understood aaise (921) as alise (smooth); this necessitates emending faloise to falise for the rhyme. Ewert proposed substituting atoise (slaty), a rare word but one that permits retaining faloise. Is the cliffface smooth or slaty? “Smooth” for a rock-face exposed to the north wind (918) is not very likely, whatever it might be made of. “Slaty” evokes not a vertical surface but a pile of horizontal layers. Either condition would challenge a squirrel, for slate is slippery and treacherous (as many a climber can attest). A falling squirrel, even if it could reach and grasp some edges, presumably could not hold on to them. As for plain de (922), the variety of translations suggests an intractable problem.

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916 Ms.: et sor; variously corrected. I follow Sandqvist; see also Reid, Gregory, Braet/Raynaud de Lage. 934f On Béroul’s information about Cornish geography much has been written; see O.J. Padel, “The Cornish Background” and “Beroul’s Geography,” and Braet/Raynaud de Lage. Béroul’s claim that the Cornish still called the projecting stone le saut Tristran (“Tristran’s Leap”) hints at a toponymic tale. See Padel, “Beroul’s Geography,” 90. 948–61 Halfway down this dangerous cliff there juts out a large, broad stone (perhaps composed of another material). On it Tristran alights, aided by the wind (we may imagine an up-draft) that catches his clothing; from the ledge he can safely jump down to the sandy beach. We must not make a geologist of Béroul, but he surely knew about rocks and cliffs, and he was a highly visual poet if not one given to lavishing couplets on detailed natural and geographical descriptions. This whole episode is disjointed, its focus shifting among its elements and offering some puzzling details. One might summarize: on the edge of a promontory composed of slaty stone is perched a chapel. Making their way to the place of execution, Tristran’s guards come to it and allow him to enter. His sole escape route is through the building; out the apse window he goes. Beyond is only a cliff, dangerous even for an acrobatic animal jumping off it. But there is a wide, projecting stone. (Pace Padel, “Beroul’s Geography,” 90, the stone is not “set in a sandy beach.”) Tristran drops down onto it and thence to the soft sand; then he goes bounding away (961) to freedom along the shore. (One notes the repetition of saillir and its derivatives in this passage: seven occurrences, echoing the four in the bedroom scene, 729–70.) 955–6 Inverting the ms. lines makes the narrative more coherent. The rhyme is still suspect (all editors print pueple : moble; one is tempted to emend to meuble, but see Tintajol : duel 879–80, 1039–40). In 956, the ms. sus (= up) is surely an error for ius, i.e., jus, as many editors have held since Muret4. See Reid, Blakey, “Further Comments,” 131–2, Gregory, “Further Notes,” 8–9 and edition, and Lacy. 955–7 The sense is open to question, for in 874–5 we learned that all in the realm have been summoned to court (sc. to the king’s presence, and just now to the place where he is preparing summary justice), and have gone there (876–9). Even the lepers have learned what is afoot, and come running to the place of execution (1155–60). One might conjecture that the summons has somehow not reached the worshippers

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in the nearby chapel – if indeed there are any. In the latter case, why do Tristran’s guards not then and there inform them? And if the chapel is crowded with worshippers, how does Tristran manage to dash through them and past the altar to the window? To my mind, 956 is a locus desperatus. 957 Like most editors since Muret/Defourques I propose reading Toz a genoz font en la glise: “He sinks up to his knees in the soft sand.” (NB: the usual meaning of glise is “mud,” possible but not so likely as sand on an ocean shore.) As for Toz a genoz applying not to Tristran but to the postulated worshippers, it is dubious for a reason that has not previously been advanced, to my knowledge: if any are there, why should they be kneeling (except for private prayer, or the elevation of the Host, which would imply the presence of a priest, although none is mentioned)? My conjecture is that Béroul had in mind a chapel empty yet open for private prayer, and the chance to pray is what Tristran begs of his guards. 965–74 The narration takes up the sequel to Tristran’s arrest. Governal slips out of the cité (presumably he had like Tristran been staying in the palace); he has a horse and two swords (his own and Tristran’s), and he flees for his life and to save his master’s. (Reid’s note on 204–5 is to be disregarded; no knight would leave his sword in pledge.) How Governal knows where to find Tristran is not explained; perhaps we may conjecture a place nearby, known to be used for executions? 973–4 Both lines end in laouestoit. The correction of 974, l’en aportoit, goes back to Muret and is generally adopted (see 1010). Gregory (“Further Notes,” 9–10) suggests celui vestoit, a more drastic emendation, and one that raises a question about the anomalous vestir une épée. As for the laouestoit of 973, “where it was”: we may suppose that the sword had remained behind in the royal bedchamber, where Tristran as the king’s guardian would have had his weapon by him (and perforce would have left it when he was seized and bound). 977–8 The masculine singular pronouns make for confusion. The first il must be for Governal, the second for Tristran. See the note on these lines in Lacy. I have exchanged the order of these lines in the Critical Edition. 994 Ms.: trespasse; Ewert’s and Reid’s suggestion (but see Sandqvist and Braet/Raynaud de Lage). 996–7 Ms.: ancele / nencontrez vos; I take this as a graphy for an cele (= sele). Since Muret some emendation is generally made. Gregory

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keeps ancele (= “young maiden”) and understands N encontrez vos: “may you never meet,” which is psychologically improbable. A correction along the lines of “Ne montez vos” (Lacy, a considerable improvement over his Garland edition of 1989) or Ne mont(e)rez pas (Braet/Raynaud de Lage) is clearly indicated, and generally made. 998 Ms.: enpres (= enprés) = “after”; but Tristran could scarcely avenge Iseut before her death. Yet correcting enpres to senpres (Reid) would duplicate, or very nearly, the brime[n]t of 997. We might perhaps take the duplication as excited overemphasis on Governal’s part. 1003 Ms.: Par quoiest. Sandqvist proposes restoring the metre with Par qu’est (= Par que est), referring to 1675 and 1980; Gregory adopts this, as do I. Poirion offers Par quoi’st. 1008–9 Ms.: trop vos anoie. Ewert takes anoie as a third person (impersonal) and interprets: “I am an encumbrance to you, for I have not my sword.” Gregory’s small emendation of nos to n’os (= ne vos, 1988:11) gives the meaning “May it not annoy you too much … [but] I haven’t got my sword.” Such an apology, by knight to squire, is unlikely. Of course Tristran is weaponless, having been seized in his bed, bound, guarded, and then led out to his execution. Without mentioning this detail, Reid points out the lack of reason for Tristran to say what is in the ms., noting that by 1903 Muret was suspicious of this half-line and conjecturing the common Old French formula Des vos en oie! (“May God hear you!”) – certainly a more appropriate response to Governal’s speech. 1012 Ms.: deu imais, printed by most editors; see Ewert II. Gregory (“Further Notes,” 11) opts for Dé uimais, but dé/damledé appears only four times in the entire text and always at the rhyme, while deu (direct and indirect object and object of preposition) is far more frequent. 1020 The rez of the ms. has the wrong case-ending, but rhymes with depeciez. 1022 Ms.: ocient (wrong for both rhyme and syntax, for Tristran is speaking of himself). For printing nen, see Gregory’s note. 1030–1 Ms.: Avoc, which gives a hypometrical line. Muret3 and Poirion print avocques (preposition without object). Tanquerey (115) proposed avoé, a spelling of avoié, “directed, instructed”; this is adopted by Ewert and Braet/Raynaud de Lage (the latter giving: “Tous les bourgeois lui sont soumis”). Reid suggests soi avoer, “acknowledge as vassal.” It is most unlikely that townspeople should do this; they obey

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the king, but as his subjects, not vassals. Gregory (“Further Notes,” 11–12) offers a voé from avoié (“se mettre en route”) and translates “are on your path”; but why should they be? (A general hue-and-cry is mentioned by Governal in 1036, but only as a possibility: if one were to be raised …) 1032–4 Sor lor eulz (“By their own eyes”) is problematical. Payen and Walter: “Il leur a fait jurer sur leurs propres yeux”; Lacy: “solemnly”; Braet/Raynaud de Lage: “au prix de leurs yeux”; Gregory: “before their very eyes.” None of these solutions is entirely satisfactory; the sentence does not hang together. What are the borjois being ordered to swear? Godefroy’s examples of jurer with sor refer to “l’affirmation, la garantie, le serment” and involve relics of saints, or parts of the oath-taker’s own body. I propose emending lor (perhaps a scribal error induced by the preceding sor) to ses, a less unusual way of reinforcing an oath (or, in this case, an order). Taking the eyes in question to be Arthur’s, I emend to *sor ses eulx, = by his own eyes, a more normal form of oath. 1035 This sounds proverbial, but is not in Morawski in this form (see #1992, 1993). Muret emends the defective toi (: hui) to qu’autrui; Ewert II agrees (31, 141), as does Reid. Most modern editors so correct. 1051–4 The interpretation turns on ont/out (plural/singular). As Reid observes, ont makes better sense: Marc gave the order, the barons did the binding. One might add that the notion of the barons giving a command to the king, who carries it out (as Gregory), is implausible. As for the legal issues, and specifically the anachronistic sentence of capital punishment for adultery, see Jonin, Personnages, 67–70 and Ewert II. 1054 Ms.: liest. Ewert (II, 144) justifies this as an Eastern dialectical form for ist; but cf. II, 28, where he observes that the ms. shows a “preponderance of Western traits.” Reid suggests emending to the Western iest (= li iest), among other possibilities. 1055 The ms. reads sejemesior. Editors have assumed a lacuna between this line and 1056; but Reid (“On the Text ,” 280, and Commentary) proposes correcting to m’esplor, “if I burst into tears.” Blakey (“On the Text,” 99) notes that a smaller emendation, to m’escor, “if I grieve,” would serve. Either would make sense and be explicable on paleographical grounds. Ewert (II, 144) still argues for a lacuna. I follow Blakey, as do Walter, Gregory, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage. (The latter in their note incline towards m’esjorz; but this would give a faulty rhyme.)

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1059 Ms.: mesproisier; most editors print mes proisier (ne + mes), for good reasons. 1062 The (i)ere perie of the ms. has been much discussed: is the auxiliary a future or an imperfect? See the summary in Sandqvist. Reid notes that the future gives a better sense; I add that at this point Iseut believes she is to perish, but hopes to be avenged. 1075–6 I adopt Reid’s suggestion that this is an exclamatory construction, with absolute Qui and (exceptionally) the indicative rather than the subjunctive. See also 1151 and 1226–7. The understanding of Payen, Walter, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, and Lacy is similar. 1085 For Dinas, Dinan, and Lidan, see Ewert II, 145–7 (Dinan = personal name, Dinas = place-name common in Cornwall, “fortress”; Lidan = adjective, “large.” Béroul calls the seneschal Dinas throughout, and makes Dinan his fief.) 1089–1100 Dinas first reminds Marc of his irreproachable stewardship, then proceeds to a plea for the queen; the voice of the community (1075–82) is echoed in that of a great magnate, Marc’s seneschal. The king is about to lose his services for a time (see 1133–40; by 2531 he will be back at court), as well as forfeiting the loyalty of the people generally. 1095 For donast Ewert proposes “had given.” Reid understands it in the hypothetical sense of “would give,” but Dinas is looking back on his whole career. I take the verb as a perfect subjunctive; his stewardship has always been irreproachable. 1104 Ms.: v os estes oncle et il tes nies. The scansion is correct; but syntax requires oncles (see, e.g., 214, 251), and this would give a false scansion. Furthermore, Dinas has been alternating between second person singular and second person plural throughout his speech; but the presence of both in a single line suggests scribal confusion. Furthermore, symmetry would require ses oncles to balance tes niés. Possible corrections might be: tu es ses oncles, il tes niés, or, better (because retaining the second hemistich): ses oncles es et il tes niés. (There remains the imperfect rhyme fiers : niés.) See Sandqvist’s long note on the syntax of 1104–8 (which does not deal with 1104). 1108 For encor, Giacchetti (183) proposes understanding “aussitôt” (immediately), not a common meaning of the word, but Braet/Raynaud de Lage accept it – questionably, in the light of 1118, where they translate ancor as “encore” (see also 25, “jamais … depuis” and 4154, “à l’avenir.” Poirion too offers “encore.” Ewert II and Gregory propose “yet.”

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1109 One must decide whether noier applies to what precedes this line or to what follows it. On the grounds that it is more probable that Dinas would not deny what he has not yet affirmed, I take the verb as reinforcement of his rhetorical question in 1106–8. 1110–14 This is the reading now generally accepted (but not by Payen). Gregory’s “in jeopardy” for en balence is attractive. Braet/ Raynaud de Lage II offer a most unusual interpretation of 1113: “il me les proposerait tous en compensation.” 1128 Ms.: et quant ce fu ne sont lamise. The ms. la is generally taken to be an adverb; but as such it would uselessly duplicate an ce fu. I seem to be alone in suspecting that la is scribal for el (and thus is the third error in the line). 1135 Ms.: J enel averroie ardoir; variously emended in early Muret editions. I print here the reading in Gregory, the strong Ja forming a continuation of the oath in 1134 and reinforcing it, and the j’ supplying the first person pronoun now moved from initial position. 1138 The ms. fruit is meaningless, the standard correction to bruit is unsatisfactory (when did Rome’s fame begin – or end?). Gregory’s proposed estruit, justified on paleographical and lexicographical grounds, gives a satisfactory sense. 1148 The only commentary on this line seems to be that of Braet/ Raynaud de Lage, who propose that Iseut has been sewn into her gown. More probably Béroul is referring to the usual practice of sewing or lacing on the detached sleeves of a garment. 1154 All editors print li braz (but see 1151), yet all translators into French give “ses bras” and English translators offer “her arms.” I suspect a scribal error, and print si braz. 1155 Lancïen: Béroul seemingly muddles two areas, one placed by him near Tintagel, the other being Lantyan, once a manor, now a farm, near Fowey. The distances involved are not great (some twenty-five miles as the crow flies). See Ewert II, and Padel, “The Cornish Background,” 60, 81. 1155–65 This passage anticipates Tristran’s disguise, 3297–3309, 3566–74, 3617–26, 3763–8. 1165–71 The repeated justise combines the notions of judgment, condemnation, and execution. 1173–4 Lines presumably inverted in the ms.; see Blakey (“On the Text,” 99–100), Reid, Braet (“Remarques sur le texte de Béroul”), Lacy, and Sandqvist. Ewert retains the ms. order, postulating a lacuna after

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the second line; Gregory also follows the ms. order in his edition (but not in his translation). 1173–8 A much-debated passage, and in need of some emendation; for discussions see Ewert, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Sandqvist, Gregory, and Lacy. I opt for the solution proposed by Reid: changing the order of 1175–6 (as well as that of 1173–4), we obtain a reading entirely acceptable as to sense. Gregory (“Further Notes,” 12–14, and edition) offers a substantially different text and understanding, taking the lines as composing a question. For comparison with my critical edition, the ms. order is: 1173, 1172, 1175, 1174. 1194 Most editors print mais une; but see Reid. 1195–7 The association of leprosy, lust, and adultery was common in the Middle Ages; see Brody, The Disease of the Soul, and Tristran’s own account of his fictitious disease, 3761–73. 1201–2 Problematical lines. No one seems to have remarked on the oddity of Et granz solas, although Ewert, Payen, and Muret/ Defourques emend to Es. This change deals with the absence of a definite or indefinite article before granz, but leaves another problem, the duplication by Es granz solas of the i (Les buensvini avoit apris) of 1201; and adding an s, (vin[s]i), as Ewert does to save the syntax, still preserves the duplication. We might take i as anticipating solaz (plural of solier < solarium; cf. Middle English sollar, soler: a room above the great hall and thus exposed to the sunlight). 1205 Perhaps eslira should be corrected to choisira (= will notice), as Reid suggests; escouellier may sum up cooking utensils and tableware (Ewert). 1209 Ms.: envoia ces hues. Payen (silently) emends to tes (c and t are often confused in the ms). The scene being at some distance from gates and doors, the demonstrative is less likely than the possessive. The ms. hues gives a false rhyme. We may think of the lepers as having had experience of getting scraps at the doors of Marc’s residence; it is noteworthy that Tristran recognizes Yvain (1247). 1212 Most editors correct verrez to verra, but not Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Payen, Walter, or Lacy. The emendation is justifiable, since it is most unlikely that Marc would be able to see what will conjecturally happen in the lepers’ hovels, whereas Iseut will have a good chance to observe it all. As for si, no emendation proposed is conclusive; I opt for Gregory’s (si = li = le).

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1220 There are good grounds for printing this line (and 3157) as prist li la main or prist l’a la main (the latter, preferred by Reid, is printed by Poirion); see Sandqvist and Gregory. Lacy prints la la. 1226 Here Béroul evokes two groups: the loudly grieving townspeople (1142–4) and the jubilant lepers. 1229 Yvain leads rather than carries Iseut away; see also 1247. Pace Braet/Raynaud de Lage, it is most unlikely that a leper, even a leperchief, living on scraps (1208–9), should be mounted. See note on 1259–62. 1245 Béroul does not narrate the change of riders; by now it has already happened. Fiert may mean “he whips” or “he spurs”; the former seems more likely (a switch being easy to improvise). 1257–8 Ms.: ost; a correction made by most editors. As for rien, Reid takes it as a noun, as do Lacy and I. See also Gregory, “Further Notes,” 14–15. A knight is above striking his inferiors. 1263 Ms.: B ien aide atristran sonn mestre. This line (reproduced as Bien aïde a Tristran son mestre in previous editions) does not immediately construe. Governal has been the subject in the preceding four lines; but son mestre is in the oblique case and cannot be the subject here. Tristran (the usual spelling in the ms.) could be nominative or oblique; the preposition a identifies it as the latter. Clearly emendation is called for (yet seemingly never made); I opt to print Bien a aidié Tristran ses mestre (an authorial comment). 1264–71 Less than clear. I take it that it is Tristran who seizes the freed Iseut with his right hand (the left hand, of course, holding the reins) and helps her up onto his steed (1271). The two ride off, with Governal following on foot. 1265 Ms. L i contor dient que yvain corrected by Muret, Poirion, and Gregory; see Reid. 1266 Ms.: nier (to drown – but how could they, in their haste, and facing a hundred lepers?); translated tuer by Braet/Raynaud de Lage; see their note. 1271 Tristran goes off with, not to, the queen (as Gregory), he carrying her on his horse. 1275 Suddenly the three fugitives are in the Morrois forest (Moresc, west of Truro, in southwest Cornwall). On this extensive forest, the largest in the area, see Loth, “Le Cornwall et le roman de Tristan”; see also Ewert II and Padel, “The Cornish Background,” 61–3. 1279–84 The bow and two arrows will become attributes of Tristran; see 4292–3 and 4422–3.

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1281–4 These lines have been much discussed, and several interpretations proposed. The crux comes in 1284, and results from the wordorder and the antecedents of the pronouns. Governal must have brought Tristran the arrows, as well as the bow, from the forester, for the one without the others would be useless. As to sense, the ot len menees of the ms. is quite acceptable, partially echoing 1281, en ot un [= arc] toleit, but with an added dative masculine singular pronoun l’ (= li, = to Tristran, as Ewert proposes; “and from him he had brought for him …”). Reid’s hesitation turns on l[i] en (two weak pronoun objects) and on menees without en; he proposes len as a graphy for lon (see his note); still, if we take en not as part of the verb but as a personal pronoun, we obtain a reading that is possible in syntax and sense. I understand: “and from him [sc. the forester] he had brought to him [Tristran] two arrows …” (For 1282 Braet/ Raynaud de Lage propose “à un forestier qu’il [= Governal] avait à son service,” which is implausible. Gregory, “Further Notes,” 16 takes the ot of 1284 as a preposition, a variant of o, “with”; this, too, is unconvincing, all the more that in his translation “with” appears twice in 1283.) 1287 Ms.: sont; most editors correct to font. Muret’s emendation to fiert is adopted by Ewert. This furnishes an (implied) subject for the verb, whereas font has none. 1290 Ms. buc/bnc/bnt. The standard reading is bnt, for b[ra]nt. Gregory improbably prints buc, understood as “male of the roe-deer,” the antlers of which become the support for the bower. 1301–2 The second half-line has been copied twice; emendation is not easy. See Reid. 1306–50 Only Béroul’s telling of the story contains this episode, possibly a reminiscence of Ovid’s tale of Midas and his ass’s ears. In Celtic, marc means “horse.” See Milin; also Ewert II, Newstead, 155–66, and Padel, “The Cornish Background,” 53–81. The whole passage, set off by Oiez and Seignors, has the air of being an hors d’œuvre. Its only contribution to the narrative is the elimination of the dwarf. 1320 The Gué Aventuros is mentioned here for the first time; it is another name for the Mal Pas, still on modern maps, a marshy area bordering a tributary of the Truro River, fordable at low tide but only with difficulty. (There is also a good crossing-place, known to both Tristran and Governal; see 3590–2.) See Braet/Raynaud de Lage II, and Padel, “Beroul’s Geography,” 84–7.

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1325 Ms.: de segroi (Muret, M4, Ewert, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage correct to du; Reid proposes de[l], adopted by Gregory and Lacy and in this edition). 1326 Ms.: par soi; Reid’s correction, approved by Lecoy (review of Reid, 575), now standard. 1328 For frocine (also at 1349, in both cases dictated by the rhyme), see note on 470. 1330, 1331, 1335 Ms.: out (but the scribe frequently confuses u and n; in 1331 and 1335 the plural is clearly called for). In 1330 it must be singular: Frocin arrives before the others, and is familiar with the spot; it is more likely that it is he who had already done (out fait) the digging. 1336 Ms.: s envint; emendation of Muret, M4, Reid, and most recent editors. 1339–47 The barons’ speech and behaviour are very curious, as are Marc’s. Why he should deign to respond to their insolence, and a fortiori laugh or smile at it (senrist, 1343), then suddenly pass to violence, is not explained. Braet/Raynaud de Lage II: “ce rire est sardonique ou cruel: il prélude à la vengeance.” It is true that Marc is given to brusque changes of mood (Perinis remarks on this in 3432–3), but not without motivation. Reid: “perhaps Muret’s s’iraist should be salvaged.” (The reference is to M1 and M2.) This suggestion is persuasive. Marc is irascible; see irascuz (3204), and the proposed emendation of sitaise to s’iraise in 3072. 1351–6 A break in the narrative, with recapitulation of 965–70. 1354 Ms.: sot letertrier, retained by Walter following Batany, 37 (“Governal qui connaissait bien la colline …”, but no colline has been mentioned). Most other editors correct to sor le destrier. See below. 1354–6 An abridged recall of 965–70. In 966–7 we read sorcheval / d elacite sen est issuz; here the language is very similar, but without an antecedent for the puzzling S en (an oddity that seemingly has escaped notice). One might conjecture the scribe leafing back to the earlier passage and unthinkingly copying the sen.. 1379–80 Muret assumed another scribal inversion here; Reid leans towards this with a “perhaps.” Putting 1380 before 1379, as in the present edition, does give a more natural order. 1382, 1384 Ms.: Que ele, Q’el; emendation of M1–3 (later abandoned) and Reid (“the argumentative se”; see Reid’s note on 1382–4). 1389 Ewert, glossary, at asez: “quite.” Reid’s “as good as dead” or “might as well be dead” gives a better sense. 1391 Ms.: nul; a subject is needed.

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1391–2 The end-word of 1391 is repeated. Perhaps the first penitance means “penance” (to be followed by absolution). In 1392 the ms. reads souz; Muret’s correction to sanz is generally made. (Walter gives, oddly, “A pecheor: sous penitance.”) 1393–5, 1398 Lermite/L ihermites/L ermite: all nominatives. Scansion prevails once again. 1403 Ms.: d etot avoit; standard correction (but not in Braet/Raynaud de Lage). Sandqvist argues for keeping the ms. reading and taking the line as an intervention of the narrator, as does Batany, 42. Gregory and Poirion, though, make it clear in their editions that the speaker is Tristran. 1415 Here the term pechiez is probably morally neutral (as in 720). 1428–30 An echo of 1360–1. 1431–6 The nen angoise of 1434 is regularly taken by editors and translators as coming from the infinitive angoissier, “to cause dismay” (Ewert). (Gregory, though, identifies it as third person singular subjunctive of angroissier, prints Ewert’s n’en as nen, and understands: “In Cornwall there is not a parish where the rumour does not grow/ swell that …” [“Further Notes,” 16–17].) Yet a royal, country-wide proclamation amounts to much more than a rumour; and a general reaction to it of dismay is of a piece with Béroul’s reiterated statements of Tristran’s being held by the Cornish as the national saviour, and beloved. 1440–4 A confused passage, and transcribed variously. 1441–2 do not rhyme, nor do 1443–4. In 1442–3, the case-endings are at war with the rhyme; and the repetition of isneaus is another sign of trouble. One might propose emending 1441 to read *tex (= teus) berserez (“such hunting-dogs”). In 1442, changing the word-order from toz tens prez to *prez toz tens is grammatically possible, and at least supplies a rhyme. At 1443 the ms. reads beaus = beaus, corrected by Muret (to bauz) but retained by some editors, although it is out of place in a list of a hunting-dog’s qualities (unlike liveliness; see also blans emended to bauz, 1511). As for the last word, I emend it to lens to rhyme with Husganz (i.e., Husdanz). That final lez of the ms. line is meaningless (but it supplies a rhyme). Clearly at this point the scribe, forcing 1443 to rhyme with 1442, was himself aux abois. 1444f Béroul (or the scribe) writes the dog’s name in the nominative or accusative indifferently. For 1446, Poirion’s “montait la garde” is wide of the mark, as is Lacy’s “looked out from the keep.” 1449–50 Reid understands 1449 as “food of any kind,” but this duplicates 1450.

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1455–6 The ms. rhyme fors : deus is false, although usually printed; see dolors : cors, 843–4. I emend following Holden, 390. 1461–2 A reference to a widely known tale, a version of which is in the Gesta Romanorum, tale 124 (where these words are not Solomon’s but are spoken before him; see Lecoy, “Sur les vers 1461–1462,” 82–5 and Ewert II). 1469–72 Another of Marc’s sudden shifts of mood; see note on 1339–47. 1473–4 It is not specified whether these barons are the three felons, as Braet/Raynaud de Lage. Three is a conventional number. 1493–4 This must be the private lodging outside the palace, used by Tristran after his banishment from the royal chamber (see 218 and 228). In 3609–10, Governal will go to this place (?) to collect Tristran’s equipment and war horse; see 3586–8. 1502 For this faulty line (Reid suspects it of being corrupt), the emendation of dit to dut is the most economical solution (Gregory points to scribal substitutions of i for u at 593 and 3978); and taking chascun as a nominative singular pronoun supplies a subject. Ewert II: “All urge him to go on”; Payen: “et chacun de le suivre”; Poirion keeps dit and translates “Cherche encore!”; Braet/Raynaud de Lage: “et tous l’incitent à continuer”; Walter: “Chacun dit qu’il faut continuer à le suivre”; Lacy: “Everyone urged the dog on”; Gregory: “and all needed to become a messenger [to follow him].” This last is persuasive; I add that in the other occurrence where mes clearly means “messenger” (1045) it is in the context of running. It should be noted that Husdent hardly needs encouragement; and the detail of townspeople joining the knights in pursuing the dog does not appear until slightly later, in 1507 (Walter has them doing this as early as 1495; in fact, there it is the king’s suite that follows not the dog but the king.) 1503 Ms.: est mis; Gregory properly raises the question of the dog’s being put into the chamber (by whom?). Like him, I emend to s’est mis. 1504 Ms.: trait et a pris. As Reid suggests (note on 1570), the scribe took traït for a monosyllable and so added the meaningless a of apris. 1505–6 Inverted in the ms. (Muret, Ewert, etc.). As for the ms. Li part fait saut et voiz clarele, Gregory’s emendation, which I adopt, offers a reading that makes sense, omits clarele (unattested elsewhere) in favour of charele, and draws on the scribe’s habits and errors. I add that in 1528 appears a similar expression: Husdent aqeut une chariere.

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1511 Ms.: blans; an irrelevant datum. Most editors print bauz following Muret (see note on 1443). 1519 On the concealing enbuschement see 991f., 1233f., 1245. To it Husdent will track his master. 1535 Here the ms. esfroi must be trisyllabic, to rhyme with tendi. 1541 Ms.: sut; conjectural correction of Muret, Ewert, Reid (“an analogical pret. form”), and most modern editors; I adopt it. (See Pope, par. 1022.) The dog did not know the way, but followed the scent (see the surrounding preterites in 1540 and 1542). 1543 The line is badly garbled; I follow Ewert, as do Lacy, Poirion, and Gregory. 1544 Another problematical line; de ioes semolle is usually understood as meaning “weeps with joy,” but Gregory (“Notes on the Text,” 5–7 and edition) conjectures a derivation from *MOTULARE, “to shake.” This is ingenious, if not quite convincing. To my knowledge, editors have not made a connection between this line and the first appearance of Husdent, 1440f. After his qualities comes his behaviour in the absence of his master: fasting, whining, pawing, and weeping, d esuiz lermant (1452). Like the human characters, the dog is given to physical signs of emotion. In this part of the poem, where there is more than one recall of an earlier passage, a re-use of one element is not unexpected. Although in 1351 and 1431 the recapitulation is signalled by Seignors and a form of the verb oïr, in 1437 we find a slight variant: Q ui veut oïr une aventure, followed by the nature/nurture topos of which Husdent (first shedding tears of distress, 1452, and later showing his joy, 1541–8) will provide an illustration. 1563–6 Unwittingly, the tracking-dog has tracked down his master at the risk of his own life. 1570 Ms.: doie doner mort; Reid’s emendation; see 67 and 2588. 1576–8 The case-endings are incorrect, but correct rhymes result. The odd puis que of the ms. may be an error for ainz que (Reid), or a mere filler. The en (1578) must stand for Gales. 1584 Ms.: p or c[ri]er nen tornast lefaut. The line may be corrupt. Muret corrects to Por crïer n’estonast le gaut (it would not make the woods resound by barking), a change that Reid terms “attractive, though highly speculative.” Ewert and Braet/Raynaud de Lage propose that the line in the ms. contains technical hunting terms, but this reading has been seriously questioned by Gregory (see his note). I follow Muret, and add that the line as he emends it is the first specific enunciation of the theme “hunting without barking” in this episode.

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1605 Reid suggests taking prendre as equivalent to faire prendre (see note on 89–90). 1626 Ms.: isnel ne; variously corrected; isnele et saves syntax and scansion (the feminine isnele is required with beste; see 2640). 1632 Ewert’s reading, followed by Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Lacy, Poirion, and Gregory. Reid makes of it a general observation (en = on), but this is irrelevant here. 1649–50 Lines that have generated much discussion; see Ewert; Vinaver, “Pour le commentaire du vers 1650”; Braet, “Béroul et l’amour tristanien”; Gregory, “Notes on the Text,” 7–9. Reid tentatively proposes Qar as a scribal error for Mais (1650; see the similar 1785), which would give a more intelligible reading and which I adopt. (As they stand in the ms., the lines are contradictory.) 1655 Ms.: Qui l, but the subject of the clause is Iseut. 1656–1721 Here Governal kills one of Tristran’s three enemies, but later there will still be three of them, in the part of the romance I attribute to Béroul II. 1660 Ms.: L ichiens … par; Muret corrects to Les chiens … por, as do I. Most modern editors (but not Poirion) let the line stand. 1661–3 Ms.: d ecornoualle dupais / demorrois eret si eschis / Quil niosout .i. sol entrer. These verses are even more problematical than the proposed solutions would suggest. The first line is incoherent, and both it and the next offer a proposition without a subject unless we postulate an unexpressed masculine plural pronoun. Yet the verb (commonly emended to ere[n]t) would require an implied masculine plural subject, and the change of the masculine singular adjective eschis to the plural eschif. This, though, would not rhyme with the dissyllabic païs. There is also the phrase du païs de Morrois. Some translators (e.g., Payen, Walter, Braet/Raynaud de Lage) simply disregard it. Gregory so prints it but translates “the land of Morrois.” Explanation is indeed indicated, for nowhere else in the poem is the Morrois a “land”; from the first mention (1275) it is invariably referred to, or described, as a forest (or bois). M4 did venture “du pays / de Morrois,” but in his first edition Muret offered De Cornoualle li naïf / De Morrois erent si eschif; this, by eliminating the problematical païs, is satisfactory as to both meaning and syntax, and is tentatively approved by both Ewert and Reid. (See naïs, 3280.) Poirion retains païs, understanding “les gens du pays” (not attested in Béroul). There remains a problem of sense. Given the assertion that the Cornish, every one of them, shunned the Morrois, what is that hunter

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doing there with his followers? Are we to assume that they are not Cornish? Yet this important (but here nameless) huntsman is one of the three who had exposed the lovers (1656–7, 1719–20), and Governal will soon recognize him (1687–8) and kill him. To complicate matters, all three felon are named and still are alive and well in 3137–8, 3474–5, and 4237–8. (This feature has been adduced to support the hypothesis of deal authorship of the romance.) 1664 Syntactically confused; see Reid. 1679–80 Ms.: O iles chiens … l ecerf; no dogs or stag have yet been mentioned, hence a correction from definite articles seems indicated (but not made by other editors). 1691 Ms.: que il escache or estache, both problematical. Reid tentatively advances il le chace, although the usual meaning would be “drives away” and not “drives on.” This does not quite account for tant, which suggests an unusual degree of action. Gregory, “Notes on the Text,” 9–11 proposes esc[l]ache, an intransitive verb: “spurts [blood].” The hunter is not content with pricking his mount but drives his spurs into it repeatedly. The rhyming mace/mache normally means “club,” unexpected here, but of a piece with the violent spurring. The baron’s brutality to his destrier contrasts sharply with Governal’s care for the mount that he shares with Tristran, 1669–72. 1698 Sense and rhyme require the (standard) correction of lauenture to la rancune. 1712–13 Ewert cites Tilander (5–11) on these technical hunting terms denoting the starting and pursuit of the stag with the pack: “Les veneurs qui l’avaient mis debout, poursuivaient le cerf de meute.” 1731 Ms.: est; Reid’s correction, not followed by most editors. 1735–8 The reference must be to the forked branch propping up the shelter, and not to antlers (as Gregory, here and in the note on 1291). Antlers are scarcely indicated for the central support of a hut, however temporary, with plenty of branches available. 1739–44 Braet/Raynaud de Lage place this scene in a series of increasingly threatening intrusions by the external world: first Husdent, then this felon, and at last Marc himself. 1741 In spite of the oblique singular (ms. son), it is Governal who does the shouting. Editors generally leave this so[n] uncorrected. 1763–4 These lines have generated several interpretations, none wholly satisfactory; see Ewert, Reid, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Gregory (edition and “Further Notes,” 17–18). Unlike the last three scholars, I think that the implied *il cannot refer to Tristran; the whole point of

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the device is that it will function in its maker’s absence. Any solution to the problem must be tentative. 1767 Ms.: M aistrires est de; Muret’s correction, and adopted by Ewert and more recent editors. See 4103. 1771–2 Ms.: Longuement fuen teldechaz Mervelles fu de buen porchaz. The subject(s) of the verbs present(s) a problem. (Gregory translates “they” in 1771, I think rightly, but does not account for the fu.) As for dechaz, it is not attested elsewhere, although dechacier, “pursue, exile,” is to be found in the text; but both lovers are in the same case (see 2295) and so one would expect the plural. It is tempting to make the bold emendation: Longuement furent en dechaz, and to take the bow as subject of 1772: they were long in exile, and during it the bow was an amazingly good resource. 1774–6 Pentecost can fall over a five-week period, 10 May–13 June, depending on the date of Easter. Most translators have understood en icel tems que l’en aost as referring to harvest-time; but even mid-June or slightly later is early for harvesting though not for hay-making, as Payen’s translation conveys (“à l’époque des fenaisons,” p. 57.) 1779–80 Scholars have dealt variously with the first hemistich of 1779. It seems to offer an abbreviation, for scansion, of Çainte s’espee (see Reid, citing 966 and 4292 for syntactical parallels). This does not, however, resolve all the difficulties, for de la loge is uselessly duplicated by s’en ist in 1780; but this construction occurs in 967 and 2051 as well. One solution would be to take Çaint as an abbreviated past participle in an absolute construction: Tristran emerges alone, sword girded, from the shelter (as Braet/Raynaud de Lage). 1783 Ms.: Ainz quil uenist (or neuist), which makes little sense, as Gregory remarks; I adopt his emendation (n’en ist) and add that 1783 anticipates 1799. I take en to refer not to the forest in general (where the lovers will continue to stay while regularly on the move), but to that part of it where Tristran is now hunting. Ewert keeps venist and glosses: “Before he came back (from hunting)” with reference to 1798–1800; but in these lines Tristran still complains of pain as well as fatigue. As for the repeated rhyme, 1783–4, one might perhaps account for it by the change from singular to plural and from narration to commentary. 1785 Ms.: nesesent; Muret’s correction, adopted by Ewert and later editors and accepted by Reid; see his note. 1788 “Such a draught,” sc. of suffering. 1783–8 have been treated variously by translators.

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1789–90 One more claim to the authenticity of Béroul’s account (see 1265– 70), with the added detail of Béroul’s drawing on the written source. 1805–6 There is no indication that the sword is intended as a chastity symbol; it is simply a normal precaution. That Marc reads it symbolically is another matter; see Sargent-Baur, “Truth, Half-Truth, Untruth,” 403–11. 1807–10 Sleeping naked was usual (at least at night). That the lovers happen to be clothed – and in hot weather – is odd but providential. Braet/Raynaud de Lage propose that they are too overcome by the heat to take the time to undress. 1809–10 Editors have not commented on the faulty rhyme meschoiet : ravoit. A slight emendation would give the past participle mescheoit, an attested form, one that both scans and rhymes with ravoit. 1833–4 The scribe has made three lines, with the same rhyme and some of the same language, of two lines; the supernumerary one following 1834 reads en ot mene lebondestrier. (Either ms. 1833–4 or 1834–5 would make sense.) 1834 The definite article suggests the forester Orri, not to be named until 2817 (and clearly not the one in 1837). 1838, 1840 For fu[e]llier[s] Reid proposes “trampled grass”; Braet/ Raynaud de Lage II offer “traces, endroits piétinés” for 1838 and suggest that the word does not necessarily have the same meaning in both lines. (For 1838 and 1840, Gregory offers “tracks”; for 1841 he proposes “stag’s antlers”; also in Glossary.) I conjecture this scenario: the nameless forester happens upon spots where the lovers had recently encamped, and follows their trail to where they are now. 1842 The ms. saunee is obscure, witness the various translations proposed. Perhaps “reunion”? 1845–1904 The actions and details in this passage are badly muddled, yet seemingly have not drawn comment. The forester’s terror, flight, and speed are mentioned repeatedly. First he moves away from the sleepers out of fear of Tristran (1845, 1894), who would kill him if he awoke; he himself could give no hostage except for his head, left in pledge (and for what?). The narrator repeatedly stresses his speed, as does King Marc (1871–5). The forester has another motivation for his long run (roughly five or six miles each way): desire for reward (1856–62) and respect for the king’s general ban (1884–7): anyone in the kingdom who might find Tristran was to capture him or report him, on pain of death. Yet, having brought his report, the runner dreads Marc’s anger and possible summary justice (1888–9). (Ewert

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and Braet/Raynaud de Lage attempt to account for these misgivings: the forester fears punishment for bearing bad news.) Not only is the forester confident that the lovers will still be asleep when he returns with the king, but he associates himself with the projected act of vengeance (“ja seron d’eux vengiez,” 1903). The two following lines, stating that if Marc does not avenge himself on them he has no right to rule, are of an amazing insolence. Compared with these narratorial problems, the statement that the runner came down the hill (1866; none has been previously mentioned, but see 2445) and ran (unchallenged) up the steps into the hall (1868–70) is of minor importance. 1853–5 Attempts have been made to solve the syntactical problems; see Sandqvist, Braet/Raynaud de Lage II, and Gregory. Trouble begins with D iluec endroit, taken by translators as preposition + definite article, or demonstrative adjective + substantive; yet iluec is an adverb. One might emend to D e cel endroit. Substituting A for Qui in 1854, then putting De followed by lau at the beginning of 1855 (see note on 1910), as I have ventured to do, would improve sense and syntax, while respecting the scansion. 1862 Ms.: P orceacort il atel esploit: hypermetrical; correction of Muret, M4, and Reid. See 3263. 1877 Ms.: T usenbles homequiaitbesoin; hypermetrical; emendation of Muret and Reid. 1879–80 Inverted in the ms.; standard correction since Muret. 1881 Ms.: chasie uus; if this is a pronoun, the second person singular is needed; editors correct to fors. See Reid and Braet/Raynaud de Lage II. 1891–2 A scribal error, or repetition for emphasis? 1896 For esfreez, Reid suggests “excited, worked up” (now generally accepted) rather than “frightened.” Gregory offers “troubled.” 1909 Ms.: au chemin fors, mixing nominative and oblique. One must keep fors because of the rhyme with cors, 1910. Reid proposes as chemins fors, understanding the phrase as meaning “crossroads” (as does Gregory). 1910–12 First copied between ms. 1905 and 1906 (the repeated rhyme fors : cors may have confused the scribe). The phrase needs La ou on; Reid proposes that here La ou has been reduced to Lau, then to a monosyllable for scansion. See 1855, above. 1916 The narrator invokes the gutta serena, which leads to blindness – a fitting punishment for someone who has seen too much. (See the death of the spying Godoïne, at the end of the preserved fragment.)

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1932–7 This is the flimsiest of pretexts. On parler, see note on 657. 1935 Ms.: G irai tot seus sanz mon destrier. The sanz cannot mean “without,” pace Payen, for in 1943 Marc has his horse saddled; and it goes without saying that, leaving the town alone, he will take both horse and sword. Editors have corrected sanz to sor. Gregory, “Further Notes,” 19 points to another meaning in Old French sanz: “except for,” yet a destrier is hardly in the same category as a per or an escuier (1936). Marc will, following the instructions of the fictitious pucele, take along no human companion, but will soon rejoin the forester at the Croiz Roge. 1939 A mistaken reference to the Disticha Catonis or translations thereof (Ewert II). 1944–8 As Braet/Raynaud de Lage II observe, Marc had abandoned Iseut to the lepers, and Tristran had rescued her from them, before taking to the woods, yet here he mentally accuses Tristran of carrying her off. Once again the poet shows the king as inconsistent as well as impulsive. 1952 Ms.: ces. Batany (47) reads the line as meaning “détruire l’ensemble de souillures qu’il vient de se rappeler”; but killing the sinners would hardly destroy the sins. 1971 The line has been variously read. For son forfet Reid understands: “the man who had offended against him”; Lacy gives “the offender.” Braet/Raynaud de Lage give similar interpretations. 1976 He holds the off-side stirrup, a normal precaution to keep the saddle from turning. 1978 It is tempting to take the plural lient of the ms. into a singular, dissyllabic lie. The forester is acting as the king’s squire, and it would not take two men to tether a horse to the branch of a tree. After the horse is secured the two of them move off together, the forester knowing just where to go. 1979 Syntax would require veüe; rhyme takes precedence here. 1979–87 They have proceeded a little distance when they see the loge. Marc pauses, sheds his cloak, unsheaths his sword, then moves away (s’en torne) alone, no longer needing guidance. Although his weapon is drawn, there can be no question of his brandishing it in this setting of trees and underbrush (as Gregory, who reads ms. sentorne as lentorne in his translation and glossary). He advances furiously towards the loge and enters it. 1988 The line is clearly defective: the definite article and subject are in the oblique case, entre soventre makes no sense, and (sov)entre echoes the rhyme-word of 1987. Ewert, glossary, soventre, merely

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gives “after”; Poirion offers “sur ses talons.” It has been proposed to emend it to en vait/en vet soventre (Reid, “goes along behind him”), or entret/s’entret (Blakey, “Further Comments,” 137–8, “approaches,” from infinitive entraire, on paleographical grounds). A conjectural reconstruction of the line: Li forestiers (nominative singular) en vet soventre. The incorrect Le forestier may be conjectured as deriving from *Li forestiers en, with the -s having become attached to the envet and then the *Li changed to Le to agree with forestier. 1987–9 Context too requires the rejection of 1987 entre (perhaps copied from the line above, or from soventre in the same line): how can the forester “enter behind” the king into a small, improvised, and temporary shelter (see 1640–1) – and to what purpose? Yet most translators so understand these lines. Problematical also is the sequence (1) entering the shelter, (2) approaching it. In 1988–9 it is plain that Marc, having got ready for action, rapidly goes ahead without awaiting the other man who hastens after him (1989). Marc gestures to him to turn back. (He will later rejoin him where the horse is tied, and peremptorily dismiss him, 2052–4.) 1991–2 One of the most debated couplets in the poem. Henry (“Du subjonctif d’imminence”) reads ire and tresva, and makes ire the subject of both verbs in 1992, sc., “anger makes him do it, then passes off”; Ewert proposes (II, 186) that Marc’s “strength fails him”; Lacy: “he could go no farther”; Payen: “il est plein de fureur, et prêt à défaillir”; Walter: “sa colère l’excite puis s’apaise soudainement”; Gregory: “[when, suddenly] his anger left him and vanished”; Braet/Raynaud de Lage: “La colère le lui fait faire, mais elle se dissipe.” This seems too drastic a change to be compressed into the eight syllables of 1992. (It is not until 2011–12 that Marc puts away his wrath.) 1992 Blakey (“On the Text,”), Reid, Vinaver (“Remarques sur quelques vers de Béroul,” 350–2), and Braet/Raynaud de Lage argue persuasively for tresüa, misunderstood by the copyist (but supported by 4431, where the glimpse of Godoïne’s shadow at the window makes Iseut suddenly break into a sweat out of anger: D’ire tressue sa personne). Physical symptoms of strong emotion (e.g., fainting, sighing, weeping, turning red or pale) are frequent in the poem. To attribute such a reaction here to Marc is consistent with Béroul’s vivid character-drawing. 1993–2001 Reid devotes nearly two pages to matters of interpretation and punctuation of these lines. He refers particularly to Ewert II, 43–4, 186–7, Henry (“Du subjonctif d’imminence”), Muret, M2 and M4.

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To the interpretations cited above, one can only say: Why should Marc’s anger pass off? The blow is about to fall on both the sleeping lovers when he notices details that give him pause (1995–2000); then he hesitates for four lines, then he mentally reviews (2005–10) the signs of guilt he had expected to see but does not, then he decides not to strike after all (2011–14), and considers (2015–19) what would be the consequences if he did kill them. It must be his (mis)reading of the signs that causes him to abandon his murderous plan. I add that Marc, though given to sudden changes of mind and mood, does not do so without motivation. 1994 Ms.: S es = si les (Gregory, Braet/Raynaud de Lage), not se les (as most other editors). 2007–16 See Sargent-Baur (“Truth, Half-Truth, Untruth,” 403–4, 405– 10), and Braet/Raynaud de Lage on Marc’s misreading of the signs (cf. 301, closely echoed in 2007), and change of plan. 2021 Ms.: Que ancois que il sesvellent (rhyme and scansion require sesvelleront). The logical temporal sequence is: “I shall leave such a sign for them that when they awaken …” (Braet/Raynaud de Lage in their translation reverse the order of 2020 and 2021, and add a line; “avant leur éveil”). Ewert glosses ancois que as “before,” which suits the context. Walter and Lacy eliminate the Que. Gregory’s emendation to Qu’an ce que is not persuasive. Reid tentatively suggests Que des que, “as soon as,” des que being found elsewhere in the text (and followed by the future or conditional) and making sense in the context. I adopt this emendation. 2029 Ms.: O r; Muret’s correction is approved by Reid. Gregory prints Q’or and translates “I gave her, not so long ago” (the lapse of time is unclear). 2032 The scribe wrote voirre (glass) for vair (squirrel fur). Unlike other editors, I propose emending to vair rai. Why Marc carries fur gloves, having set out hastily in a heat-wave (see 1794), is not explained, and has not elicited commentary. I assume that deslié means “untied,” sc. from his belt (he would scarcely be wearing them while handling his sword). 2034 Ms. Li rois is a mechanical error (1990, 1991, 2039, etc.). For le rai, see 2041. 2037–8 In 2038 the scribe rewrote bbos to blos, which still does not rhyme; nor do these lines correspond with other allusions in Béroul to the slaying of the Morholt. Numerous solutions have been proposed; see Ewert, Sandqvist, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage.

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2039–50 See the lengthy note in Braet/Raynaud de Lage on the feudal implications of the signs left by the king, which the lovers will misunderstand. Structurally the two attempts at interpretation balance each other: Marc takes as proofs of innocence the clothing and posture of the lovers (which seemingly do not conform to their usual practice; see 1805–25) and so abandons his plan to kill them, while Tristran and Iseut will soon read the signs deliberately left by Marc not as tokens of his clemency but as warnings of vengeance to come. See Sargent-Baur, “Truth, Half-Truth, Untruth,” 405–10. 2044 I take il to refer to the finger, as does Ewert (as against M4 and Reid). Gregory prints il but translates “she.” 2053–4 There is no reference here to the reward promised in 1912–13 and in 1969–71. 2058 That the ms. gives out rather than ont is not conclusive, given the scribe’s frequent confusion of n for u; but Reid argues convincingly for out (with an impersonal antecedent, supported by i [“to them”] in 2059). 2063–72 Thematically, Iseut’s dream anticipates her situation in the escondit; see 4185 and note. 2079 Ms.: e sfreez sest. With Gregory I take the s of sest to be an error, perhaps due to the influence of the final -z of the first word understood as an -s. See 1896. 2081 I adopt Reid’s suggested punctuation. The line evokes a detail figuring in other accounts of the story, but lacking in the fragments of Béroul and Béroul II: Tristran, in battling the Morholt, struck his helmeted head and so gave him what was to prove a mortal wound. A piece of Tristran’s sword, remaining in his enemy’s skull, was retrieved therefrom after the corpse was returned to Ireland, and was preserved by Iseut, who later matched it to the notch in the sword of the disguised Tristran (wounded in some versions by the Morholt’s poisoned spear, in others sickened by a dragon’s venom). Much of this episode is recounted by Tristran himself in the Folie de Berne, 395–420. 2084–5 In 2044–8, Marc has removed his ring from Iseut’s finger; the act of replacing it with his own (Iseut’s wedding gift to him, which he has until now been wearing) is not narrated. This latter ring will return in 2707–20; see note on those lines. 2096–8 Tristran’s conjecture is odd, given that it was normal for a king to be escorted at all times. See also 2111–18. 2099–2129 The three fugitives will head in the direction of Wales, but will not enter it. They will cross the Morrois by dint of several days’

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travel (yet by 2268–9 we learn that not only are they still in the woods but they are not very far from Ogrin’s hermitage). 2113 Ms.: sinos; Reid finds this suspect, as do I, and suggests emending to quant (si, defended by Sandqvist, may be due to the si in the next line). Braet/Raynaud de Lage print si but translate “quand,” as do Payen, Poirion, and Walter. 2121–2 For 2121 Reid offers “we must not delay”; for 2122 Ewert gives “There was in them no (thought of) tarrying”; both understandings are confirmed by 2125–6. The repetition of the rhyme-word (retained by Ewert, Muret4, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage), along with syntactical problems, may point to a scribal muddle. For 2122 Sandqvist suggests retaining demorer (“ce type de répétition est fréquent chez Béroul”), but he proposes emending the line to read: N’aveent eus que demorer: a repetition without any point. Gregory proposes reprover for 2122, and understands “they could not be blamed for this decision”; but who would do so? Reid’s conjectured emendation n’avet en eus que esfreer (lit. “in them there was nothing but fear”) is syntactically acceptable; it also makes sense in the light of the next six lines. Poirion understands, oddly, “ils auraient bien pu rester.” 2125–9 These lines suggest that the three fugitives leave the spot hastily and go a considerable distance towards Wales from the shelter where Marc came upon them; yet in 2181 they are still in the woods. 2130–2 The future perfect of 2130 is suspect with the following preterites. Gregory conjectures a scribal misreading of *aia (= a ia = a ja) as *ara transcribed as avra; this could be accepted on paleographical grounds. 2133–2304 In this long exposition Béroul repeatedly drives home the potion’s effects, now supplying the detail of their exact duration as intended by Iseut’s mother; see 2133–64. 2138 Ms.: l iloucuendris. Béroul borrows the English term “lovedrink,” misunderstood by the scribe (and spelled differently in 2159). The French for this is in 2218. For correcting livin to vins, see 2144. 2139–40 Béroul (or the scribe) abandons rhyme for assonance. The final [t] of 2139 is Muret’s emendation, adopted by Gregory. See Ewert II, 18, par. 33. 2146 Ms.: men; Muret’s correction to n’en is adopted by most editors; see Reid. The en must refer to the life they are leading. 2147–59 That is, on the day following the feast of St John the Baptist, which falls on 24 June. This detail serves to date the drinking of the potion on the voyage from Ireland and the beginning of the love-affair

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(not narrated in Béroul’s fragment). The intended duration of the potion’s power is also mentioned in 2139-40, 2162, and (enigmatically) 3760, but nowhere else with such a degree of precision; even the time of day is supplied here (2156–9). 2161–2 See note on 2303–4. 2192 qui must be for cui: “to whom.” Braet/Raynaud de Lage: “… à qui elle a été mariée.” 2199–2200 For dementot : estoit see Ewert II, 24, par. 47 (which does not list this rhyme). I postulate a scribal error. 2205–10 A succinct reference to the plan that miscarried. 2206 I adopt Muret’s correction of ma to la. The potion was intended for Marc as well as Iseut; see 2139–41. 2210 Ms.: E lnenpout mais qar iai trop pris; it ends in a false rhyme, and makes no sense. Jeanroy proposed quar trop mesprist, which is an improvement on both counts and is accepted by Braet/Raynaud de Lage. (Still better is Reid’s se trop mesprist = “if she acted very wrongly, it was not her fault.”) Other editors keep the line. 2217f Curiously, Tristran’s return from hunting is not narrated. Iseut’s monologue leads directly into Tristran’s long speech and the subsequent dialogue. 2220 The il of the ms. is for el (sc. Brengain, who committed the fatal mistake). 2231–5 Ewert takes lidan to be part of Marc’s kingdom (II, 106, 146), like duraume. Reid, pointing to the N e that begins 2232, convincingly makes it a hyperbolic device; see 2386 and 3410. 2237 Ms.: Q n’t nos avriez desresnie; Reid’s emendation. (See, though, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, who, while noting Reid’s proposed avroie, suggest understanding desresnie as a substantive and so keeping the ms. reading.) Poirion prints vos and translates: “une fois que vous vous seriez justifiée.” 2242 Ms.: soufrist; emended to servist in Muret and M4; the correction is tentatively rejected by Ewert (and even more tentatively by Gregory, “Further Notes,” 130), but defended by Reid. One might note the presence in the preceding lines of words beginning with sou-, including soufrist (2238) and soudoier (2241), a possible source of confusion for the scribe. Lines 2238–45 turn around the theme of service. 2246–7 It is not clear whether Béroul had a particular area, and king, in mind, e.g., southwestern Scotland (Dumfries?), or simply had Tristran consider offering his services to the first lord he might encounter, as his vague reference to Brittany also suggests. Tristran, suddenly freed

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from the power of the love-potion, begins to envisage his separation from Iseut and to contemplate his departure for a destination that is still vague. He will again mention a possible self-imposed exile, to Bretaigne or Loenois, when consulting Ogrin, 2309–10, and will raise the possibility of going off to serve the roi de Frise in his letter to Marc, 2610. We note that all areas named in the poem are Celtic lands (if Frise = Dumfries). 2259–60 Braet/Raynaud de Lage point to Béroul’s inconsistency. The potion shared on the crossing from Ireland is responsible for the disastrous passion of the lovers, here as also in 1384 and 1413–15; yet their love will be prolonged after the three-year term of the philtre. 2268 Ms.: tornastes; the allusion is to 1362f., where they had happened upon Ogrin’s hermitage and asked his advice. He then preached to both of them at length, with an abundance of plural pronouns 1393f. It seems that only Jonin has accepted tornasmes and translated accordingly (p. 107 and note 20). 2268–9 Although it took the lovers several days on foot to reach the area where they have been hiding (see note on 2125–9), Ogrin’s hermitage is, to Iseut’s knowledge, at the edge of the wood they are in. 2270–1 Ms.: se ia corage / V os ert venuz de repentir; Muret emends to est, interpreted by Reid as “If the desire to repent has now come to you, it could never have come at a better time.” Reid’s proposed exchange of ia for or is based on accepting est. 2276 Ms.: Par qoi laioie. Most editors print Par qoi a joie pardurable; but Gregory argues persuasively (“Further Notes,” 130–1) for emending to Par qu’a la joie pardurable on the basis of syntax and sense (the everlasting joy). 2283 Ms.: M anderon a nostre talent. Sandqvist defends the ms. reading, retained by Ewert, Braet/Raynaud de Lage (but see their note), Walter, Payen, Lacy, and Gregory: “manderon a nostre talent.” The first person plural imperative of tornon (2280) may give weight to the emendation; yet one would still expect a direct or indirect object in the resulting (hypometrical) line; this is supplied by the editions of Muret and Poirion and by Reid’s commentary, thus saving sense and syntax: Mandon au roi nostre talent. 2301 Ms. si. The scribe interchanges si and se elsewhere, and probably also in this line, pace Ewert, M4, and Gregory; M0 and Reid argue for se here. (Reid terms it the “argumentative se” in his note on 1382–4.)

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2303–4 Ms.: falle : travalle. Except for the rhyme-words, these lines closely echo 2161–2 (fal ; traval). Like Gregory, I adopt Reid’s emendation. (Poirion retains the rare travalle.) The last word in 2304 should be the nominative singular travalz; if Béroul did indeed write traval, he again sacrificed syntax to rhyme. (See 2314.) Reid understands si que as modal (“in such circumstances that”) but does not explain the line. For 2303 Gregory translates “no more no less”; a similar rendering is at 2162. 2310 Ms.: orlenois; all editors correct to Loenois (oblique, spelled Loenoi, oblique, in 2868). Béroul may have had in mind Lothian in southeastern Scotland. 2314–18 A difficult passage, beginning with Tristran’s statement of the obvious followed by three lines (2316–18) with the same rhymeword. (This oddity recurs in 3947–9.) To save the syntax, 2314 ought to read Sire, mes oncles est riches rois (but this would result in a false rhyme). Muret conjectured the inversion of 2313 and 2314, which would make little sense. Another possible emendation, which would much improve both syntax and sense, would be Si con mon oncle et riche roi (adopted in M2, abandoned in M4). This would still not eliminate the hypothetical lacuna after roi and hence the very problematical sequence of three (and possibly four) lines ending with the same rhyme. Alternatively, perhaps the model being copied did have a lacuna, or the scribe of the existing ms. may have skipped one or more lines. Most editors count one missing line, after 2314 (Muret2 puts it after 2317), and number the remaining ones accordingly. I follow suit, to avoid confusion in line-numbering when readers consult other editions. 2321–4 Ms.: se saint, se plaint, ia ior (with point, 2321, misplaced and so indicated). I adopt Reid’s punctuation, with Muret’s and Ewert’s substitution of ie (= je) for ia (= ja) in 2324. Gregory (“Further Notes,” 131–2) argues for j’a jor, but this when read aloud would still uninterestingly echo the ja in the preceding line. 2340 Ms.: averez, a unique future form in this text. Reid proposes correcting to en avrez. 2342 Gregory conjectures that the scribe misread Qui in his model for Ci, and recommends Qui as giving a smoother and more satisfactory reading. I add that Tristran must know full well where he has come. 2346–7 Ms.: ce for se, quitie for quitiez. Sanz/Et sauz are problematical. M0 gives S’anz/s’aus; M4: S’aus/saus. If taken as pronouns (= s’eus) they are anomalous in Béroul and in Norman French generally

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(see Pope, par. 501). Reading Sauz as Sanz and correcting it to s’a[i] nz (i.e., beforehand), as does Ewert, would make sense in 2346, but would suggest a similar though unacceptable correction in 2347. Reid raises the possibility of the dubious word in 2347 being an error, perhaps for pus (= puis, “then”). Ewert takes aus in 2347 as an accented pronoun subject. Gregory, translation, uses “first” in both lines and adds an interpretive “provided” in 2347. 2359 Lancïen in this part of the poem is a city and royal residence. See note on 1155. 2361–2410 A passage comprising the proposed message to Marc interspersed with asides to Tristran (e.g., 2370–96). Even without Tristran’s codicil, this makes for a very long letter (2429–30 confusingly aver that all of it is in the brief). The letter as subsequently read to Marc (2553–2620) corresponds in the main to 2362–2424, but with numerous differences. 2363 Ms.: lui for li (correct in 2365). 2366 Ms.: N iauroit fort sage ne lort, which makes little sense; fort does not belong in the series (but is usually printed). Various emendations to fort sage have been advanced, the most economical being Reid’s lors (“then,” i.e., on Tristran’s arrival); Poirion adopts this. Gregory proposes the unattested sorsage (“exceedingly wise”). The cause may be the neighbouring cort and lort. 2366–70 On the loose syntax, see Sandqvist. One might conjecture S’il y avra … Qui veut dire qu’en vilanie … 2371 Reid offers several possible emendations, including that of M0, which would emend to por ce[l] t’os bien loer (the [l] referring to the advice of the preceding eleven lines). I follow the ms. 2383–4 God still favours Tristran, in Ogrin’s view. 2386 Costentin: presumably the modern hamlet of Constantine in Cornwall (an identification proposed by Loth, “Le Cornwall et le roman de Tristan,” 83–4); but it may be a familiar hyperbolic formula; cf. 2232 and 3410. 2401–2 Ms.: Q ant vos serez delui loiaus A uloement de vos vasaus; the emendation of the meaningless Q[u]ant to Que is due to Reid, that of vos to ses was proposed by Muret and Ewert II. One would expect a lui. Reid tentatively emends 2401 to read: Que vos fussiez a lui loiaus, but thinks seiez a possibility. Gregory, Poirion, Lacy, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage let the line stand. 2404 poise must be present indicative; see Reid.

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2408 Ms.: depise. If pise = Frise = Dumfries, then the mer de Frise must be the Solway Firth (assuming that Béroul knew something about Scottish geography), and surely not the Firth of Forth, as Muret, Ewert, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage. Lacy: “you will cross the sea to Dumfries.” 2411 Lacuna in the ms. (Muret’s proposed filler mis beau is printed by all editors; yet beaus is indicated.) 2413 From Muret onwards, most editors have corrected ms. moi to lui Like Gregory, I keep the moi (en lui fier would strike a tactlessly defiant note). 2417–20 Marc’s response is to be hung at the Red Cross, perhaps by its tag (conjecture of Braet/Raynaud de Lage). (As to the posting of the answer, see 2646–50.) 2423 Ms.: G ecrerai bien que; a direct object is needed; and the que makes no sense. 2431–2 For seal-rings with incised stones, see note on 2708. 2441f Tristran’s nocturnal journey with Governal will take them from the hermitage to Lantyan and back. Clearly oscur is a relative term here, as it will be in 4352. 2447 One would expect mes mestre. 2449 Ms.: Quanuit; usually emended to Anuit (= last night, tonight). Like Reid and Gregory I emend to La nuit = That night. There is no mention of Governal’s being mounted; during all of their forest exile they have had but one horse between them. If Governal will accompany Tristran on foot, their progress will perforce be slow. 2455–77 The action is far from easy to conceptualize. Do the watchmen (gaites is feminine plural) sound their horns to announce the arrival of a stranger after dark (Braet/Raynaud de Lage), or simply because this is the normal practice at the close of day? (See the corresponding signal on the Blanche Lande at dawn on the day of Iseut’s escondit, 4116.) As for Tristran’s movements, they too are less than clear. He enters the town, goes down into the moat (presumably the moat of the royal residence) or else follows it downhill, and soon comes up to the hall of the palace. He does not enter it (the en of 2458 is misleading) but approaches the window in the outside wall. Here he is able to call softly to the sleeping king, awaken him, speak with him briefly, and place his letter on the windowsill. Then he hastens away (not by the town gate?) and rejoins Governal.

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2463 Ms.: aprés, weak in sense (how could the king speak to him before waking?). Reid suggests an error for adés, “immediately.” Lacy, Walter, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage do not translate it; Gregory proposes “after him” (meaning?). Poirion translates “aussitôt.” 2483 That is, they enter the enclosure around the structure(s); Tristran arrives on his horse (and oddly does not dismount until 2508). 2487 Ms.: eil (with e expunctuated) levit. Ogrin has been praying for the safe return of both men (see 2483–90); hence le should be corrected to les, as does Muret. (Sandqvist argues for le and most editors unaccountably retain it.) 2492 Ms.: Tresqa / et eus: Muret’s corrections, generally accepted (only Ogrin and Iseut are present to watch the approach of the two men. Governal will not be mentioned again until 2941, and will return to the action only in 3578). 2495 Ms.: le; see 2492 and note on 2487; and lor (2487) is also plural oblique. Iseut then proceeds to interrogate only Tristran. (See the oblique plural in 2499, where lor = Iseut and Ogrin.) 2495–6 Two lines at least are missing, one ending in -ie, the other in -ole. For 2496 Reid proposes correcting the last word of 2496 (ms.: pole) to fole (see 2344, 2805); Gregory adopts this, as do Lacy, Poirion, and I. Braet/Raynaud de Lage print qu(e) il fist, ne fu pas parole and render it “Pas un mot sur ce qu’il y accomplit,” which is immediately belied by 2499f. 2507 Ms.: duromenz; most editors print du ro Marc, here as in 600; but roi (oblique case) is far more common in the ms.; ro is surely scribal. 2528 Ms.: lit furent liescrit; corrected to liz sera for tense and agreement, escriz for agreement and rhyme, by most editors since Muret (Gregory keeps the ms. spellings). 2531 Dinas has by now returned to court, having left it in 1139–40. 2536 After bien and a space there is a badly written fare(?). 2547 The use of the oblique for the nominative (d an chapelain) is presumably scribal (see 2549 and 2619). 2556–62 An allusion to another episode not in Béroul but in other versions of the tale. 2558 Ms.: horlande. M0, glossary, suggests Norlande. M2 emends to “en demande” (?). M4, glossary, gives “nom de lieu inconnu”; Ewert, index: “scribal error for Irlande” (?). Most modern editors print Irlande, making the place-name rhyme with itself. Gregory keeps Horlande and translates “Ireland.” I venture the paleographically distant “en cele lande.”

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2564 Ewert II: que = quel (= que le). Reid is inclined to emend; Sandqvist calls the change unnecessary. The editor, here as elsewhere, must choose between the scribe’s copy and what the author may have written. I opt for the definite article, which is certainly implied. See note on 270. 2565–80 A particularly confused passage, often and variously emended. All editors correct 2566 (ms.: Q uant los entra) and 2573 (ms.: Q ionques); many correct 2577 (ms. Adont). Blakey (“On the Text,” 99–103) proposes some drastic changes, including the transposition of couplets 2573–4 and 2577–8. Muret’s emendations are also extensive. At 2579–80, where the ms. reads laisier : jugier, I follow Muret in emending the first word to plaisier and adopt Reid’s conjectured depecier for the rhyming word. The text has been badly served by the scribe (expunctuations in 2566 and 2569, the correct reading of the latter copied on the next line). In 2571–2 the identical rhyme may be another scribal blunder. In 2577 the A dont of the ms. (retained by Ewert and Braet/Raynaud de Lage) is suspect because of sense (the clause lacks a verb); Lacy and Gregory correct to Ardre, as do I. (Muret in M0 proposed Ardoir; in M2 and M4 he printed Jugier.) The emendation of 2582 was suggested by Reid. This section of Béroul’s poem with its exchange of letters, as edited and explicated here, is a composite of my tentative responses to its numerous challenges, with which a good many scholars have wrestled. The diplomatic transcription of the ms. may be useful in illustrating the problems of interpretation involved. 2569 Qui is dative (= à qui), as in 2180 (where it also appears with the verb doner). 2575–2603 This central part of Tristran’s dictated letter swings between the prospect of future burning and his memory of the past danger of it. At court he has only enemies. 2582 Ms.: V os vosistes. This is surely due to the copyist’s eye wandering to the line above; most editors correct to Nos (but Gregory, “Further Notes,” 132 and edition retains Vos and adds l’ before ardoir, although Marc meant to burn them both). Reid speculates that the line should run Vos nos vosistes ardre en ire. (I follow this, adding that ardoir is more common than ardre in this text; but cf. 2577 and 2580.) 2585–6 The aventure was no chance happening. Tristran attributes Iseut’s escape from being wrongfully executed to God’s pity and justice (which, by implication, aided his own exploits).

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2593 The li must stand for Yvain, named in 1223 but confusingly not here. Braet/Raynaud de Lage translate “la leur”; Gregory takes both en and li as referring to a masculine singular, Lacy as to a masculine plural. I follow Reid: en has malades as direct antecedent, but Iseut was given to Yvain (li for lui). 2608 Ms.: S ebuen, generally emended to Se l’uen. Sandqvist notes that uen is not in this text; he corrects to Se l’en, as do I. Gregory proposes a scribal misreading of hon, h and b being similar in the ms.; but se hon is awkward to pronounce. 2610–12 The first and third lines state an intention, the middle one the consequence. I suspect, with Reid, that 2611 and 2612 have been inverted, and have reversed their order. As for the roi de Frise (seemingly associated by the barons with the roi … en Gavoie, 2631), see note on 2246–7. If Frise designates Dumfries, the separating mer (here and in 2246–7) must be the Solway Firth. Like Reid, I reverse the order of 2611–12. 2620 There is no mention here of the Croiz Roge, specified in Tristran’s dictated codicil (2419–20). Yet Marc directs his chaplain to hang his reply on that cross (2646, 2650). 2625–38 A unanimous chorus, advising Marc’s reconciliation with Iseut, and Tristran’s departure. 2631 Ms.: gavoie, perhaps an allusion to the Galloway region, near Dumfries; see note on 2246. 2633 The glossaries of Muret and Ewert give “rester”/“remain” for soi contenir, and Lacy so understands it (1989 and 1998). This is dubious; see Reid (“acquit himself”) and Braet/Raynaud de Lage (“se conduire”). Tristran is to go and serve another king; he may succeed so brilliantly that news of his deeds will reach Marc, who may recall him. 2640–8 That very night Marc’s reply is dictated, then hung by the chaplain on the Croix Roge (presumably not far from Lantyan). Tristran’s ride to fetch it, not narrated, seemingly is shorter than that of the preceding night; before midnight he has brought the letter back to Ogrin. 2653 La Blanche Lande (“the White Moor”): a heath in Cornwall (and a medieval manor). See Padel, “The Cornish Background,” 60 and “Beroul’s Geography,” 88. 2655 The preterite sout here is surrounded by presents. 2658–61 I follow the ms., with punctuation influenced by Reid and Braet/Raynaud de Lage. In 2660 I take que as equivalent to ce que.

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2664 The correction of l irois to li hom/hon goes back to Muret, and clearly applies to Marc. Gregory proposes li res and understands “a tonsured religious,” sc. Ogrin, although it goes without saying that Ogrin believes in God. 2675–8 Here are the date and place of the coming restoration. 2677–8 The rhyme is faulty (aventuros : deus, but aventuros regularly rhymes with nos or vos); unlike most other editors I adopt the interchange of pronouns of M0 and M2 in 2678. M4, though, restores the ms. reading. In 2678, eus must be Marc’s people (2668). 2679 As for the L alirendroiz of the ms., various explanations have been advanced, the most satisfactory being that one might read la li as la l’i, that is, “there her to him” (see note in M4). This would be in keeping with twelfth-century Norman-French syntax, satisfy the problem of the (apparently) missing direct object in the first half-line, and preserve the metre: La l’i rendroiz, iluec ert prise, sc. “there you will return her to him; there she will be taken (back).” Gregory prints la li rendroiz but translates “there you will return her to him.” The three persons involved having been well established, the pronouns are clear. 2695 The lovers’ parting, with exchange of gifts and a kiss, recalls the feudal rite of homage. 2698 Ms.: N ert gardee atel, retained by nearly all editors except Gregory, and usually printed N’ert gardé e a tel. The ms. agreement is wrong, and the compound past is required: Ne fu garde[z], with masculine singular nominative ending. See Reid, and Gregory’s edition. Braet/Raynaud de Lage print n’ert gardé e a tel, keeping the future perfect (weak in sense), as do Ewert, Poirion, and Walter. Lacy’s reading is the same, translated with the compound past. 2703–6 These four lines end with the same rhyme-word, perhaps owing to a scribal confusion. I adopt Reid’s conjectured emendations in 2705–6. 2704 Presumably the Law given on Mount Sinai. 2705 The ms. beste is general, banal, and dubious (being feminine singular, it brings with it the second rhyming couplet in -ie of 2705–6). In this text, beste often designates a prey animal; see 1574 and 1626. I emend to brachez. 2708 Ms.: et .i. seel; the line as copied (and printed by Payen) makes no sense. M0–M2 and Braet/Raynaud de Lage give a u seel, as does Ewert (“there is in the seal,” u taken as standing for el); M3 and M4 give a un seel (“with a seal”). Braet/Raynaud de Lage translate “une

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bague / au chaton de jaspe vert,” leaving out the seal. Reid’s note is inconclusive. It is instructive to look at seal-rings. There is no need to conjecture that the jasper somehow accompanies the seal (Walter, Lacy); it is far more likely that Béroul had in mind a stone that, incised in the usual way, composed the seal itself. See 2431–2, where Ogrin takes a ring and seals his letter with a pierre. Pace Braet/Raynaud de Lage II, this cannot be Iseut’s wedding gift from Marc, set with emeralds or an emerald, which he had taken from her finger in the Morrois (see 1812–13 and 2028–9), for she no longer has it. It is the ring that she had given him (2084–6), the one that he had clandestinely returned to her in exchange for his earlier gift to her. Thus it is Marc’s own seal-ring, Iseut’s original gift, that will serve to authenticate her future messages to Tristran. This episode is much less than clear; and the green jasper and the emerald(s) (1813, 2028) add to the confusion. I take it that only two rings are involved, those bestowed at the royal wedding and later exchanged (by Marc) in the Morrois. Presumably Iseut, having awakened and recognized her own gift to Marc, did not afterwards wear the ring: why should she? If she concealed it, this would account for her description of it to Tristran, 2707–8; if she had worn it, the description would be otiose. It is unlikely that she would have possessed two rings (and one a seal-ring), as a fugitive from royal justice (she was to have been burned at the stake wearing her wedding-ring, which she continued to wear until the king took it back). And if she, improbably, had had a spare, where would she have kept it under her ragged clothing (1647)? Braet/Raynaud de Lage II attempt to make sense of the obscurities here, but unconvincingly: in their view, what Iseut gives Tristran to use as a sign to her after their separation cannot be Marc’s returned ring, “l’anneau que Marc a passé en échange au doigt d’Iseut, celui-ci serait trop facilement identifié; il s’agit plutôt de la bague qu’il lui a donnée (1813).” Yet Iseut’s projected messages to Tristran after their separation (none is in fact sent in the preserved fragment of the poem), whether accompanied by one ring or the other, would be meant only for the eyes of Iseut’s unnamed messenger (2713), and for Tristran. 2712 If Reid is correct in taking mandez as a subjunctive, the spelling should reflect this. Here mesage has the usual meaning of “messenger”; see 2719–20 and 3275 (in 3405 and 3409, however, the reference is to an oral message).

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2719 Ms.: con que; retained by Ewert and M4. M0 (line numbered 2721) emends to çou que (about which Sandqvist has his doubts). Reid proposes çou que or, better, ce que, con que not occurring elsewhere in the ms. (but here printed by Lacy, and also Braet/Raynaud de Lage, who print con que and translate “ce que”). Gregory opts for cen que, although this too is not attested in the ms. I follow Reid. 2733–5 Perhaps St Michael’s Mount, on a bay in south Cornwall, a site of two annual fairs in the Middle Ages. The a prés of 2735 is suspect (see note on 2463), but is printed by all editors except Braet/Raynaud de Lage. Perhaps aprés is for assés, as Poirion. I opt for adés. 2736 Ms.: d ras de soie et porpre bis. Most editors supply de after et, taking porpre as a substantive along with escarlates and chainsis; Payen and Gregory print soië et. 2736–8 Ms. dras may mean either garments or lengths of cloth; 2737 suggests cloth. 2737–8 Ms.: chailil : flordelil. The words are part of a series, what Ogrin buys at the Mount, and so should be masculine plural oblique like the other substantives. Hence we should expect chainsis, followed by the normal flor de lis. (This, though, produces another anomaly: four lines ending with the same syllable.) 2741–4 These lines with their threefold repetition of tant support the choice of adés rather than asez. 2749 The o i avez of the ms. is meaningless in context, since the proclamation has just been made. M0–M4 emends to oï en ont, Ewert and Braet/Raynaud de Lage to oï an ont (“they have heard”), but who are “they”? Gregory prints Oï en est: a trifle distant paleographically, but acceptable as to sense. 2752 Commentators have taken this line as marking the end of Béroul’s redaction, 2765 onwards being the work of a continuator and the intervening lines being an attempt to link the two sections. For a summary of the single/dual authorship controversy, see Gregory’s introduction, xxiii–xxvii. Gregory leans towards single authorship, as does Illingworth, “The Composition.” I do not. 2755–64 This forecast of the felons’ several fates cannot be reconciled with either earlier or later information. Ms. tel (2755) is for tes (see 1270). The [en orent] of 2755 is a standard filler; the ms. quies of 2759 is for quis (= qui les). 2759–62 In spite of this prediction, the forester will be alive and participate in the joust at the Blanche Lande, and be killed by Governal’s lance (4045–52). Such discrepancies have been taken as supporting the

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hypothesis of dual authorship. For gibet (2762), Ewert’s glossary gives “sling,” accepted by Bromiley (“A Note on Béroul’s Foresters,” 39) and most translators; but this has been queried by Reid, who proposes “club” (adopted by Gregory), a far more practical weapon in a forest. Poirion gives “bâton.” 2780 Ms.: lamastes; emendation of M0–3, approved by Reid and Lecoy (review of Reid, 575) (but not by M4 and Ewert), and adopted by Braet/Raynaud de Lage, and Gregory (in notes). There has been no prior sign of a particular affection of Iseut for Husdent. (Most other editors retain lamastes; Gregory gives simply amastes; see his note.) 2806 This line echoes 2792. 2806–8f Some editors (e.g., M0–M3, M4, Ewert, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Poirion, and also Sandqvist) take these lines as spoken by Iseut – Tristran – Iseut. I find this less natural than attributing the whole speech to Iseut (as do Lacy and Gregory), 2807 reinforcing 2806. 2814 One might expect alternatives: either angry or something else. The lois of the ms. has been variously emended: Muret: cois (“quiet”) and then voirs, M4 (“true to his word”). Holden (393) proposed an original contrast employing cois; Ewert rejects this. Gregory (“Further Notes,” 133–4) proposes mois (“gullible”) and in his translation gives “as good as gold.” Braet/Raynaud de Lage retain lois and venture (of Arthur’s future attitude), “irritée ou complaisante.” None of these conjectures is entirely persuasive. Ewert points out that Béroul may not have intended an antithesis at all. For lois Godefroy is no help; Tobler-Lommatzsch’s examples give it in association with borgne (“one-eyed”) and suggest the meaning “schielend,” i.e., “looking askance.” This last would denote a suspicious attitude – not an antithesis but another possibility, and still one capable of causing anxiety. 2815 Ms.: G elprie; editors print the unusual prié; but see the nearby pri, 2811. 2821 Ms.: fis; syntax requires that the subject must be Orri, but Reid points to 3352, where the credit for having the underground hidingplace made and decorated goes to Iseut. Braet/Raynaud de Lage II accept fis. (Carpentry, though, would scarcely be among Iseut’s skills; I conjecture an implied fis faire.) 2822 Ms.: Li trois quiert de moleste; scansion agreement, and rhyme are wrong. Reid’s emendation to the unusual phrase de malaire (: faire), accepted by Gregory (“Further Notes,” 134 and edition) is bold, but makes sense, and moleste (: beste), without preposition, is attested earlier in the text as a direct object at 1586. Most editors have

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proposed inversions or conjectured a lacuna. Certainly the sequence 2821–2 is abrupt and unsatisfactory. 2822–8 I take this as a parenthetical remark on Iseut’s part. She is certain of what awaits the bodies of their enemies, and expects that their souls will be damned. 2822–36 This passage, one of the most incoherent in the poem, has generated much speculation regarding the sequence of the lines, possible lacunae, etc. See the copious notes in Reid, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Lacy, and Gregory (“Further Notes,” 134). In this Critical Edition (and the translation in the Student Edition) I print the passage with my own proposed ordering (as well as the ms. line-ordering in parentheses). 2824–6 Ms.: gisent, the correction to the future is standard, except for Gregory’s edition. See also Gregory (“Further Notes,” 134), who argues for gisent and ovre (2826) as being hortatory subjunctives. 2829 limiens amis is feeble, and feebler when repeated at 2832. 2832 Ms.: que dex; see note on 506. 2833–4 Iseut takes for granted that Governal will accompany Tristran in his pretended exile, and will thus like his lord be kept informed by Perinis of developments at court. 2833–6 The order of lines in the ms. (2835–8) may reflect scribal confusion, perhaps due to the repetition of manderai toi at the beginning of two lines separated by four intervening ones (2831–4 in the ms.), and also to the placement of the second manderai toi at the head of a fresh column: so many opportunities for the copyist’s eye to wander. The notes in the present edition have been keyed to my line-numbering, which differs from that of other editors. For convenience of reference to other editions, I offer the sequence of lines and rhyme-words appearing in the ms.: 2832 (tenort), 2833 (herbergier), 2834 (mesagier), 2835 (estre), 2836 (mestre). Standard line-numbers appear within parentheses in the margin of the critical text and translation. Most editors have assumed a lacuna after 2836. Gregory has made a good case for inverting two couplets: ms. 2835–6 and 2833–4. I go one step further and invert lines 2833 and 2834 themselves, thus making a direct link with 2837. 2843 The subject of the first verb must be the lovers; cil are the other party. 2847 Ms.: dinas qui de dinan. Most editors since M2 have understood qui as first person present indicative of quidier, “I believe.” This is certainly lame. Sandqvist proposes emending to cil (as in M0), or qu’est;

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Gregory proposes qui[’st]: still lame, but an economical solution and also syntactically acceptable. 2848–9 As Iseut’s escort, Tristran rides on her left and holds the rein of her palfrey with his right hand. Béroul had no need to spell out this arrangement, an entirely normal one for his contemporary audience: Tristran has Iseut on his right, facing him on her side-saddle. This of course facilitates their protracted parting conversation (2770–2842) and their embrace. See note on 4075, where Arthur will escort Iseut to her escondit. 2859–61 The singular subject becomes a plural. 2861–3 I adopt M4’s punctuation, and his emendation of ms. sejeten sueffre to sire, m’en sueffre in 2863 (as does Gregory, but with sire, me; Muret spells the verb soffre). Braet/Raynaud de Lage keep the ms. reading, as do Walter and Lacy. See Reid’s long note. 2864 Defeat in a judicial duel would be a clear sign of guilt. 2866–7 Since Muret, most editors have assumed a lacuna after 2867. 2868 On Loenois see note on 2246–7 and 2310. 2869–70 Andret – born at Lincoln! – is surely not a nephew of Marc; only Tristran has been so identified hitherto. A knight with the same name (perhaps a figure drawn from another source) will appear in 3783, 3877, and 4035, and be brought down by Tristran in 4041–4. 2872f One could argue for the emendation, proposed in M1 and M2 only, of le to se in 2875 (see the very similar construction in 2892, 3621, 3673, and 4137). The sequence would thus be: Andret briefly pleads with Marc to retain Tristran in his service; Marc, moved, is close to acquiescing (2873–4); he draws him aside (clearly without Tristran) to reflect (2875); the three felons seize this opportunity to approach the king and give him contrary advice (2893–2906), which he opts to follow (2907–8). This the felons promptly report back to the assembly. 2877 Ms.: ioiaus; the standard correction to loiaus is more fitting with voirs (ms. vairs) than is ioiaus, which Braet/Raynaud de Lage attempt to defend. 2879–89 A passage comprising simultaneous and interlocking episodes. 2882–3 I take it that the ample bliaut is worn over the tunique, as does Reid, whose punctuation I adopt. Most other commentators and translators have interchanged the order of the layers. 2893–2906 The three barons, illogically, recommend that Tristran be exiled for a year; if Iseut is faithful to Marc during this period, Tristran is to be recalled – as if Iseut had been suspected of being generally

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untrue to her husband. The device does serve to furnish the lovers with another separation, punctuated by messages, while the barons’ demand for a formal self-exculpation on the queen’s part creates a bridge to the dramatic escondit before Arthur and his knights. 2899 An echo of the first denunciation of Tristran and Iseut by the three felons, with forms of the verb consentir in 614 and 616. In 616 appears the pronoun tu; here the impersonal en is tactfully substituted. (Burch, “‘Tu consenz,’” does not mention this line.) 2908 Ms.: d evos consel; most editors correct to either vos conselz/consés or vo consel. 2924 Ms.: mie; Reid’s emendation, accepted by Braet/Raynaud de Lage II. (Poirion’s mi maale does not scan.) 2925–6 I adopt Reid’s interpretation (as does Gregory): this roi riche must be the same one referred to in 2631–2. Like Muret, Holden, Reid, and Gregory, I emend the banal agrant ioie to en Gavoie. As for riche, the Old French word denotes “wealthy” as well as “powerful” (kings tended to be both). Tristran here spurns Marc’s offer of unlimited gold, silver, and furs; he intends to enter the service of another king, and a rich one at that. (This is presumably the same ruler across the mer de Frise, mentioned in Ogrin’s letter, 2408–9; in their response, the assembled barons had then advised Marc that Tristran should go au riche roi … en Gavoie / a qui li roiz escoz gerroie [2631–2].) 2933–46 Marc and most of his barons turn back. Dinas, tarrying, comes to an understanding with Tristran (2941–6); communication is foreseen (and this implies that Tristran will not after all leave the country). 2941 A reminder of the presence of Governal, who accompanies Tristran throughout this episode of pretended departure towards the sea and exile. 2945–50 A difficult passage, variously interpreted. It is most unlikely that Dinas should speak 2947 as written (pace Ewert and Braet/Raynaud de Lage); it is presumably the narrator’s comment. The Dit molt a of the ms. may be an error for D’eus a molt, as Reid proposes and Gregory and I adopt. In 2949 la must refer to Iseut; the fact that she has not been mentioned since 2930–2 prompted Muret and M4 to postulate a lacuna between 2947 and 2948 (although the lines rhyme); the contradictory 2950, unattached, may also suggest this. How and why Dinas is to keep Iseut with him (2949) after her reunion with Marc is not explained; there may well be a gap in the text.

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2967 Ms.: Qu arr: the explanation of what follows. (See Braet/Raynaud de Lage, note on 1649–50.) 2971 The street is strewn with reeds or flowers. 2973 St Samson, Golant; Lantyan is in its parish. See Padel, “The Cornish Background,” 60. 2974–95 See Braet/Raynaud de Lage on Iseut’s complete acceptance into society by both people and Church. 2983–4 Muret emended the autel of the ms. to auter and retained the dull ber (as he did not in 3857). Ms.: qui = cui (“to whom”). For this, and ms. ber emended to bel, see 3857; see also Gregory, “Further Notes,” 134–5, and his edition. Béroul is oddly silent about any religious ceremony. 2985 Here a garnement is not a ready-made article of apparel (pace Ewert, Jonin, Lacy, Gregory, Walter) but an adornment of some sort (Payen: “tissu”; Braet/Raynaud de Lage: “parure”), often but not always made of cloth. Here the context shows it to be a length of costly fabric, suitable for being put to ecclesiastical use (see 2991f.). 2999–3007 We note the fivefold repetition of le jor (and icel jor at 3006). 3016f Tristran’s horse disappears from the narrative, not to be mentioned again until 3587. We may imagine it, along with lance and shield, as hidden somewhere (in the souterrain?) until needed; see 3586–8. 3018–23 Ms: troue: present for imperfect (yet with surrounding past tenses). Other editors retain. One might take troue as being for trouet, sc. trovait. (See prenet [3020], donet [3023].) The haies, formed by planted hedges, were used as traps for large game. 3024 The first words, usually printed O Tristran, suggest that Orri, a busy forester, hides with Tristran in his own cellar. The subject of the verb must be Tristran. 3027 Ms.: Soit (see Reid’s note). Many editors print Soit (= Sait); but this present tense jars with the surrounding past tenses. 3029–30 Ms.: Qui o Tristran avoit alez Par eus fu ml’t li rois malez. These lines have often, and variously, been corrected. I follow Muret and Muret/Defourques, leaving 3030 (which I take as parenthetical), and the line-order, unchanged. Reid approves (unlike Ewert), and Lacy, Poirion, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, and Gregory also adopt this order. 3041–9 An unusually convoluted statement, perhaps expressive of the barons’ muddled thinking. Lines 3042–3 might be understood: “If the

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queen is rumoured to be unchaste, she has never cleared herself (and this is said to your shame).” 3044 Ms.: Sa (= S’a); Reid emends to Ç’a (so also in Braet/Raynaud de Lage II). We may take this as a parenthetical remark. In the ms. the lines usually numbered 3051–2 are mistakenly placed between 3044 and 3045; standard repositioning and renumbering appears in the present critical edition and translation. In the diplomatic edition the lines are given in the ms. sequence and so numbered. 3047 (Ms. 3049). Ms.: Qu’il vuelent bien son escondire; all editors correct to s’en escondie (: drüerie). Reid queries whether Qu’il may be for Qui (= they who). 3048 (Ms. 3050). Ms.: Que on (or ou = with, accepted by Sandqvist, seemingly by Braet/Raynaud de Lage, and supported by 2857). Poirion prints, incoherently, Qu’o. Ewert in II and in “On the Text of Béroul’s Tristran,” 92 proposes Qu’onc = ever, and Reid agrees. 3049 (Ms. 3051). The line is incoherent as it stands; Reid conjectures a substitution of the recurrent escondire for some other word. One might speculate that the final word, coument or conment, may be for c’on ment or, supposing that c = ç = s and con = çon = son = s’on, the prototype might have read s’on ment (“she should exculpate herself if lies are being told”). I propose Noier le doit se l’on en ment. 3051–2 Misplaced in the ms. after 3044. 3056f It is not easy to make sense of Marc’s outbursts, 3056–79, 3082–6, 3104–8 (if this last is not an internal monologue), and 3125–36. Tristran has been gone for less than a month (3031), to serve the roi riche (2926) and to be recalled after a year’s absence if Iseut behaves herself (2901–5). (How could she not, in Tristran’s absence?) Now the king, angry with the three barons, threatens to bring Tristran from wherever he may be hors du pays (3065) and with amazing speed, indeed on the very next day (3078–9), and reaffirms his intention to recall him (3085–6). Here Béroul II depicts a man made irrational by the endless repetition of what he had never desired to hear. His wrath makes him imprudent to the point of riding back unescorted to Tintagel (3148–52), where he announces to Iseut his expectation of Tristran’s imminent return (3197), although Tristran has not yet been summoned. 3057 Muret first printed blasmer. Modern editors give ms. reter for this and the following line. Gregory (“Further Notes,” 135–6) argues for reter as bearing two senses here, first “to trap” and then “to accuse.”

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3072 Ms.: len si taise. Ewert derives the verb from teser (= to contend), and spells it toise; but this gives a questionable sense. Poirion translates, neatly, with “s’acharne ainsi contre lui”; Gregory proposes a scribal substitution for s’iraise (see Muret’s emendation in 1343), and he may well be right. (See 3204, Iseut on Marc, angered by the three barons: mes sires sest irascuz.) Marc is inclined to be irascible; see 3090 (irié). 3073 Ms.: s il semesfist et il est fort, corrected by Acher (720–5) to il est en fort, generally adopted since Muret. 3077 A jeu parti is normally a choice between two (frequently undesirable) possibilities, but here it is more of a wager, indeed a threat. 3088 Ms.: soz .i. larri. The correction to sor un is normally made. Emending the dispensable larri to jarri is also required; see Braet/ Raynaud de Lage. Poirion gives, oddly, “au bas d’une friche.” 3090 Ms.: l irois; Muret’s correction to Le roi has heretofore been adopted by no modern editors except Payen. I suspect a mechanical repetition by the scribe (see 3055, 3080, 3082, 3092). The chanp is the clearing, 3036–7. 3093–4 The bien tost of the ms. may mean “perhaps” or “probably” (Reid, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Gregory); but “soon” (Ewert, Lacy), “bientôt” (Payen, Walter), may well fit with a conjecture on the part of the barons, based on Marc’s hyperbolic threat in 3078–9 and 3085–6. 3102 Ms.: vit son nevo; all editors correct this. (The barons must have remounted to return la, i.e. to the essart.) 3114 Perhaps a circumlocution for “his whole body.” 3115–16 The ms. gives these lines in inverse order; correction of Muret, accepted by Reid and adopted by Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Lacy, and Gregory. That cil (3115) refers to Tristran, who has already departed for a year’s exile, is very unlikely (pace Ewert, Reid, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage); it is more probably a general statement, as Gregory holds (contrasting a hypothetical enemy with their real and loyal selves). 3120 A rare Béroulian joke. 3121 Beginning with Muret, editors have corrected this hypometrical line to read Icest. This puts the caesura in the middle of a word (maltal-ent), not particularly rare in this text; but the common quar gives a smoother reading. 3129–30 These lines have generated various interpretations. In 3129 is the mood indicative or imperative? And what does a terre pié (not attested elsewhere, according to Reid) signify? Could it be a scribal

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error for a terre, a pié? The three felons had dismounted for their private conference on the heath: en la lande soz un jarri / sont decendu tuit troi a pié (3088–9). Can they have gone back to the king and addressed him on foot, as Braet/Raynaud de Lage? Surely not. From the lande to the chanp there must be a little distance, and it would be abnormal for knights to walk if they could ride (hence I take alez to be imperative, leading into 3130). Poirion’s version of 3129 as “Votre argument ne tient pas debout” does not stand up. 3132–3 Legge’s identificaton of the mer with the Firth of Forth is persuasive; see 171–4. 3137 A suspect line (the three barons are already before Marc, 3102). This may be a narrative break, or a brief recapitulation of 3101–36. 3137–9 Here the felons are named for the first time. On their motivation, and the history of their names, there are shrewd observations in Ewert and Braet/Raynaud de Lage. 3140 Ms.: L itroi ont; Muret’s correction. Other readings: Li troi [l’]ont (Ewert, Braet/Raynaud de Lage), Li troi l’ont (Lacy), Li troi ont (Walter), Le roi ont (Gregory). There is no clear superiority of one reading over another. The three of them speak to the king but are rebuffed. 3143–7 The theme of the barons’ revolt reappears, now with authorial comment; see Braet/Raynaud de Lage. 3150 On Tintagel as the residence of King Marc, see Ditmas, “The Invention of Tintagel,” 131–6. Its placement in Lantyan jars with its location in 1040. 3152–62 Ms.: Nus neset ne neuoit son estre, a reading dubious in both sense and rhyme. Ewert and Poirion print it without comment; Muret emended it to Nus nel siut ne ne voit soentre (with slight variations in M0 and M2): “no one follows him or goes along behind him.” This, though, is tautological; cf. the other appearance of soventre in this text (1988), where it stands alone (and may originally have been preceded by en vet [= en vait] or s’en tret; see note on this line). Reid leans towards nus ne[l] se[u]t ne n’e[n] voit soventre, “No one follows him or goes along behind him,” as above, and still questionable, but it does preserve the rhyme. Alternatively, one might retain the Nus neset of the ms., print nus ne[l] set, and understand “No one knows of it (sc. his return to court) or follows him.” I opt for this emendation. Marc’s appearing alone would be abnormal (see 1926–8 and note on 390), yet he has departed in angry haste from his second interview with the barons (3142), without staying for any dog or huntsman

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(3149), arrives at the castle unannounced, and bursts, sword girded and unaccompanied (3162), into the royal chambers. It is another illustration of Marc’s tendency to act impetuously, and alarmingly. 3163–4 This is clearly an internal monologue, as 3165 attests. 3166–70 Again, Béroul notes physiological signs. The ms. loinz is problematical as to sense and rhyme. The correction is Tanquerey’s, adopted by Payen, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Poirion, and Gregory; see M4, note (not text). 3168 Ms.: froidis; syntax yields to rhyme. 3169–70 Reid (“On the Text,” 276) suggests an inversion; Ewert agrees, as do I (given the unlikely succession of events as related in the ms.). Sandqvist defends the ms. order. For these lines Braet/Raynaud de Lage merely note the “mélange des temps.” 3171 Ms. Q must be for the relative pronoun Qui, yet this (if en is retained) yields a hypermetrical line. To my knowledge, questions have not been raised about ms. len alevee. From where did Marc lift her? Eliminating the en of the ms. corrects both scansion and sense. 3172 The agreement is wrong, unless one takes the Besie for a Besiee abridged for scansion. I propose emending to Besieë et acolee, which would correct both the scansion and the syntax. 3177–9 Another sequence that has generated multiple solutions. At 3177–8 the ms. reads silaseure : siaseure. Ewert in his text footnote suggests si est seüre for 3178, but in vol. II he reverts to the repetition of aseüre (as do Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Lacy, Walter, Poirion, and Gregory). I suggest that the use of a verb rhyming with itself, first transitive and then intransitive, is questionable. As for 3179, the ms. reads lirest asouagie; Ewert and Lacy print li rest asouagié, and translate “then she is once again reassured” (Ewert) and “She was again self-assured” (Lacy), without accounting for the masculine singular nominative ending of the past participle. Comprehension of these lines is made difficult by the fact that both of the characters experience first anxiety (for differing reasons) and then relief, so that the subjects of the verbs are less than clear. See the long note in Gregory, “Further Notes,” 136–7; I follow him in emending lirest to li ro’st (= li ros est = li ro[i]s est). 3180–3 That Iseut is reassured by Marc’s change of manner is, I think, supported by molt bel. Her initial alarm was due to his visible anger, which she had wrongly attributed to his capture of Tristran (3165) – all too possible, since she (unlike Marc) knows her lover to be not in far-off Galloway (2631, 2925–6) but lurking nearby (2811–39). Relieved

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by the king’s solicitude and, quick-witted as always, grasping that her worst fears are groundless, she permits herself a bit of gentle teasing: You have got upset over a trifle. That she addresses him repeatedly with the familiar second person singular contributes to the intimacy of her speech. Braet/Raynaud de Lage offer perceptive observations on the psychological interplay in 3180–3207. 3188 Most editors print encor. Payen translates “cette fois-ci” = “this time”; Braet/Raynaud de Lage I offer “un jour” = “some day,” which lacks force; Walter gives a hypermetrical encore and renders it “dès maintenant” = “from now on.” Gregory (“Further Notes,” 137–8) emends the encor of the ms. to encoi, “this very day,” but Marc has already ordered them from his land in 3131 (see ancor ancui, 3226). Marc does not in fact banish them; they voluntarily withdraw to their own strongholds – not very far away, for they will be summoned back (3280–1) and return for Iseut’s escondit, only a fortnight later. In this text encor can bear the meaning “yet, still”; see 908, 1063, 1118. 3189 The ms. Que might possibly be a scribal error; emending to Et would solve the syntactical problem. 3197 This is wishful thinking, for Tristran was to absent himself from Cornwall for a year (2902), and has been gone less than a month (3031). But Marc speaks more truly than he knows, for Tristran, in hiding nearby, will indeed soon return (in disguise) for Iseut’s oath at the Mal Pas. 3203–7 Again, the narrator reports the unvoiced thoughts of the character. 3210–76 We now witness a bravura performance on Iseut’s part, its cleverness underscored by the sinplement of 3209 (naïvely? humbly?). Iseut is all helplessness, injured innocence, and dependence on Marc for advice. She proceeds to sketch out an elaborate plan of action. 3221 Here and elsewhere faire + infinitive may stand for a simple verb; see Reid. 3222 Ms.: liroi; once more, rhyme takes precedence over syntax. 3224 There may be a lacuna here of two lines at least (Muret, Ewert, Lacy). See Reid’s note. 3226–7 Marc seemingly thinks that the banished felons (3131) are still nearby, since he proposes that Iseut make her escondit that very day (3226). He is being impetuous, as usual, and seems to have in mind a quick and pro forma disclaimer. 3227 Ms.: met; Muret corrects to mez; Ewert keeps met (as do Payen, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, and Walter), but in his note makes of it an

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imperative ascribed to Iseut. Reid takes it as an indicative, spoken by Iseut, and recommends mez (so printed by Gregory and Lacy). 3228–72 The observations of Braet/Raynaud de Lage on Iseut’s taking charge are very much worth noting, as are Jonin’s in Personnages, 81–8. 3228–76 Iseut’s detailed plan is cunningly introduced by a request for Marc’s advice (3229); but at the end he merely approves of it – in three words. 3232f Jonin (Personnages, 79–105) discusses this scene in the light of twelfth-century legal practices. 3239–64 Iseut asserts that, although without kin nearby, she is not friendless; she counts on King Arthur and his household knights acting in place of blood relatives. Here for the first time Arthur is introduced into this romance. 3242–3 Interpretations differ. I take these lines as referring not to her lack of family in Cornwall (who might lead a war or revolt, as Ewert and Walter), but to what she is about to propose. 3244–76 Noteworthy are the speed and detail with which Iseut conceives her escondit: specific witnesses and guarantors, the presence of Arthur and his three greatest supporters and a hundred such vassals (as well as all Marc’s subjects, rich and poor, on pain of being disinherited), the site of the event, the sending of the messenger to King Arthur. 3247 Ms.: neface; a direct object is needed, but is not supplied by other editors. 3248–64 For appeals to observers and guarantors from outside a jurisdiction, see Jonin, Personnages, 85f. Iseut’s confidence in Arthur’s acting on her appeal, 3248–9, is reinforced in 3273–6. 3269 On the geography evoked see Padel, “Beroul’s Geography,” 88. 3273 The phrase li miens cors means “I myself,” not “in my heart” (as Gregory). 3275 Here mesage means “messenger” (pace Payen, Walter, Lacy, and Gregory; see Ewert’s glossary). (Braet/Raynaud de Lage translate 3274–5 as “dès que le roi Arthur / aura mon message,” but the ms. reads verra.) Arthur will not see a message; Iseut in fact will send him only an oral communication, to be delivered by Perinis; see 3412f. (We may assume that Arthur, like Marc [2510f.], cannot read.) Iseut’s message to Tristran, to be conveyed by Perinis, will also be oral; see 3294–3314 and 3327–8. (In 3405 and 3409, mesage will denote “communication.”)

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3291 The line implies that Iseut will inform Tristran of what she has suffered this year; but their separation has lasted less than a month (3031), and Tristran has had news through Perinis before this. Again, the chronology is elastic. The feminine singular past participle applies, ungrammatically, to both peine and ahan, 3290. 3294 Ms.: d ili que il set bien marches; set is third person present indicative of savoir. If it is a substantive, marchés needs an article. Given the specificity of what follows, I opt for le before marchés, like Braet/Raynaud de Lage (see their note), and Walter, Muret, Ewert, Sandqvist, and Lacy print un. (To correct the scansion, one must print qu’il.) Payen gives no article but translates “le gué.” Gregory (“Further Notes,” 138–9 and edition) reproduces the ms. reading and understands “Tell him to appear in an immediately recognisable guise …”, an unlikely way to begin a communication (and Iseut’s subsequent instructions as to location, costume, and “props” ensure that her lover will be easily recognized by her). Informing him of the meetingplace is a more natural way to start the communication. Iseut’s message to Tristran specifies where he is to be, and his disguise and behaviour as well; it reveals nothing of her own plans (and so creates suspense for the audience). As for the place and date fixed for the escondit, everyone in the country somehow is informed (3283–4). 3294–6 This anticipates Iseut’s crossing of the ford, 3896f. 3298 On the Mal Pas (“Bad Passage”) and the Lande Blanche/Blanche Lande (“White Moor”) see Loth, “Le Cornwall et le roman de Tristan,” and Padel, “The Cornish Background” and “Beroul’s Geography.” One should note that the Mal Pas, still on modern maps, is not an isolated marsh but an area of mud-flats bordering a tributary of the Truro River. This last feeds into the Carrick Roads estuary, hence the crossing is tidal but even now fordable at low tide; see Padel, “Beroul’s Geography,” 86. The relation of the two sites evoked by Béroul (with the Blanche Lande not very far to the west of the Mal Pas) is accurate. 3300–2 The prescribed equipment is less than clear. On botele/bocele, see Reid. 3306 Ms.: J ilset; Ja is a standard correction; I take it as meaning “already” (see 896); here set is for soit. However Tristran is to disfigure his face, it must be with something easy to carry about, apply, and remove. “Sores” would be more feasible than “bumps” or “tumours,” pace Ewert; some touches of red colouring-matter, e.g., blood, would suffice. See also 3716, 3763.

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3307 Perhaps this posture is meant to hide his face? Later he will keep his head down (3640, 3953). 3311–12 Iseut seems to anticipate gloating over Tristran’s takings. 3313 Ms.: par soi, retained by Ewert, corrected by Muret, M4, and later editors, and by Reid, to the common exclamatory formula. 3315 Perinis leaves the queen at Tintagel (3150–3315), but will return to her at the mysterious Lidan (3562), “the place he had come from” (3558); but no remove of the court to Lidan is narrated. This discrepancy seems to have escaped notice. (The poet may simply have reached for a rhyme-word in –an.) 3320 Presumably the plural designates Tristran and Governal. 3326–7 An anticipation of 3357–63. 3340 The ai of the ms. is unsatisfactory as to sense and syntax (Reid), although Sandqvist, Payen, Walter, and Lacy retain it. Muret emends to the subjunctive ait, as does Gregory; but this would amount to an encouragement to Iseut to do all of whatever she may mean to do. Lecoy (review of Reid, 575) proposed emending to a, adopted by Braet/Raynaud de Lage and Poirion, and also entirely acceptable. 3352 Almost all editors have taken perrin as referring to stone; the exception is Gregory, who understands it as the oblique (and unique) form of Perinis; but the name is elsewhere invariable and always spelled with one r. Why Tristran should here address him by an abbreviated name, and nearly at the end of his speech, is not apparent. 3354 Ms.: Qe l na sormoi boces menuz: a much-discussed line. Ewert postulates a scribal confusion (mai for moi) and consequent scribal emendation of *botons to boces; yet this does not resolve the lack of agreement of boces and menuz. Reid gives a long note to the problem, and advances the possibility of the noun as referring to tumours on Tristran’s face (see 3306 and my note on this line; see also Gregory’s substantial note). No one, as far as I know, has observed that if some facial disfigurement is involved (as Iseut has specified in her message), it is odd that Tristran should use the present rather than the future tense, and especially following several futures (3334–49): he is not at this moment disfigured; why should Perinis so report him? For the poet to use such an allusion in the context of a lover’s greeting is, to say the least, inept. Lacy’s objection that “buds on a hawthorn” is not stylistically characteristic of Béroul is well taken, but not necessarily conclusive. I opt for the hawthorn (may-tree), and its buds or, more likely, fruit, it being midsummer. 3365 A reprise of 3356.

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3365–6 Lines inverted in the ms.; all editors correct. 3365–3563 There is a phantasmagorical quality about this episode; it raises many questions. Why does Perinis seek for Arthur at Caerleon? Why, once there, must he inquire repeatedly before learning that the king is at Isneldone? Why, before getting there, does he ask a shepherd where the king is? How can this shepherd be informed about the domestic arrangements in the king’s residence, and about the Round Table? Why does this character assure Perinis that he will indeed see the Round Table? 3373 On Isneldone, see Ewert II and Reid. The identification with Snowdon in northwest Wales, rather than Stirling, appears likely, given that Perinis implausibly has a mere fortnight (3279) for the round trip to King Arthur. He first makes a detour to Tristran’s refuge with Orri, then seeks Arthur in vain at Caerleon, but learning the good news (3372–3) that the king is at Isneldone, he rides on and finds him there. By the time Perinis reaches him, only a week remains (3447). After Arthur receives Iseut’s messenger and hears the counsel of his great barons, he must organize his expedition and arrive at the Blanche Lande within the term announced, as indeed he does. Here Béroul II’s notions of Cornish and Welsh geography seem highly vague; he has all this quest take place within a constricted and featureless area. 3379–80 The turning Round Table remains problematical; see Baumgartner, “Jeux et rimes,” 355 and Braet/Raynaud de Lage. 3395–3401 In the hall there is a dais, upon which Arthur and his household are seated at tables (one notes the plural). No Round Table is mentioned. 3396 The line hesitates between singular and plural. 3398f Braet/Raynaud de Lage draw attention to the new and more courtly tone, here used by Perinis and subsequently characterizing Arthur and his circle. 3404 Ms.: arequis; most editors print ai je quis; Gregory gives ai dequis, Poirion “tant ai je quis.” Certainly requis is faulty in context; requerre appears at 3407 and 3437 in the sense of “to request,” which it cannot have here, whereas querir can have the sense of “desire.” Sandqvist would retain a requis. 3407 Arthur promises to grant whatever Perinis will ask on Iseut’s behalf even before the request is specified: the “rash boon” motif. 3410 Tudele (Tudela in Spain) stands for some faraway place. 3413 M4 alone prints s’i entendent; “let (them) pay close attention to this,” more urgent than the mere si entendent. Braet/Raynaud de Lage approve, in their note.

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3414 Foulet (“Sire, Messire (I),” 29) places the use of mes sire Gauvain[s] as post-dating the Chevalier de la Charrete and the Conte du Graal of Chrétien de Troyes. This suggests that the latter part of Béroul II’s poem may have been composed, or revised, sometime in the last quarter of the twelfth century (NB, always assuming that Béroul II had access to those romances). 3419–20 Braet/Raynaud de Lage point out that Perinis repeats the end-words of 2855–6 in Tristran’s speech but with somewhat greater precision. 3422 Ms. tele loiaute is suspect, rhyming as it does with itself and being preceded by the anomalous tele. Ewert, Payen, Lacy, Walter, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, and Poirion keep the line; Muret emends it to de trestot le barné, acceptable in sense if rather drastic. Gregory (“Further Notes,” 140) proposes substituting f for l and reading foiauté (= fealté), glossed as “ensemble de vassaux attachés à un seigneur.” The source of this quotation is not identified, and the word itself appears not to be attested, at least not with that spelling. For lack of a better solution, one might retain the ms. reading of the end-word, emend tele to cele, and defend it on the (questionable) grounds that cele, being specific, gives a difference of nuance and so avoids an exact rime du même au même. 3423–4 Perinis echoes Marc’s reproach to the barons, 3063–4. 3426–7 Ms.: francier; most editors emend to François. The lines as they stand are absurd; there is no reason why there should be French or Saxon nobles at Marc’s court. Furthermore, all Iseut’s linage must be Irish. This fact has not, oddly, generated comment, but Loth conjectured an original Ireis, and Ewert thought that the francier might be “a scribal substitution for Cornot (cf. 3254).” I add that the proximity of frans hon might have confused the scribe. 3428–9 A proverb; see Morawski #2263. Qui = cui. 3430 The plural stands for the singular (thus providing a rhyme with 3429). 3434–5 Most editors take ms. la as l’a, with the l’ standing for a dative (= responded to Marc), but Marc is not represented as having spoken. I follow Reid’s suggestion: l’a anticipates 3435. 3441–2 I agree with Reid on the inversion of these lines, required by the sense. Most editors keep the ms. order, e.g., Braet/Raynaud de Lage, who propose reading natural as referring “aux liens féodaux.” Gregory also follows the ms. but understands the lines very

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differently, as do Lacy and Poirion; none of these interpretation is convincing. (Emending soit to set would clarify the lines.) 3448 Ms.: P lorer en font; the expression amounts to il en plorent; see Ewert II and Reid. 3453 Perinis has not mentioned this detail. Here the tense is present: “is leaving.” 3454 Ms.: J ane voist il sanz paradis, retained by Walter and Braet/ Raynaud de Lage as s’anz. Ewert gives Ja ne voist il s’anz paradis, takes sanz as reflexive pronoun + anz = enz, and translates “May that man never enter Paradise …” More probably, s’anz is for sa[i]nz = saint. Like Reid, I take voist as an error for voie (see 841). See Reid’s long note. Skårup proposes ja ne voist el/en saint paradis. 3459–94 Gauvain, Girflet, and Yvain appear well informed of the intrigues at Marc’s court. 3461 Left unexplained is how Gauvain knows who has raised this issue; see also 4237–9. 3462–70 Gauvain’s enmity for Ganelon is also not accounted for, but the name of the arch-traitor to Charlemagne must have been widely known by Béroul’s time. 3466–94 These threats of one king’s vassals against those of another appear overwrought, absent any account of their motives. 3469–70 The syntax is puzzling. One might consider taking pendre as a future (pendré for pendrai), but this would involve an unexpected shift from conditional (3469) to future. I opt for the conditional (Et le pendroie), saving syntax and scansion; for other solutions see Ewert II, Reid, Sandqvist, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage. The lui of 3970 (“un emploi insolite,” Sandqvist) can be taken as a scribal error for le. As for an un haut pui, it may echo 3145. 3478–9 The difficulty of these lines is reflected in the diverse translations. With pasent, the subject li coutel must be plural; but how can a lance have more than one blade or point (Ewert, note and glossary)? And how can a lance (normally round) have edges (Reid)? Furthermore, an indirect object is needed. (The only other occurrence of coutel, masculine singular oblique, is in 4324, clearly with the meaning “knife.”) I propose emending to: “Ne li passe outre le coutel …”, understanding an implied je as the subject, and taking le coutel (usually spelled cotel) as denoting the coat of mail (cotte d’armes, the normal body-armour of a knight in joust or serious combat). Clearly Girflet has the possibility of combat in mind, although a bohort has just

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been evoked not by him but by Gauvain and only retrospectively (3465). Furthermore, between the knights of Arthur and those of Marc any combat would perforce not be mortal, at least not by intention; Gauvain had not killed Ganelon earlier but only in the course of a tourney thrust him into a mire; he is still active at Marc’s court. Arthur proposes another such contest, this one in honour of Iseut (3513–14). It is most improbable that Béroul II has Girflet plotting to take revenge on Godoïne in so unsportsmanlike a manner as to use an iron-tipped lance, and before two royal courts, as editors have understood. Hence: Girflet means to joust with Godoïne if possible and, God helping, penetrate his coat of mail with his own blunt lance. This boast is reinforced with the wish that, if he fails to realize his plan, he may never (again?) have a secret amorous encounter. If this reading is correct, it adds additional spice to 3479–80: the allusion is to two sorts of body-covering linked by the rhyme coutel : mantel. 3480–1 Ms.: J annenbraz; emendation of M4 and Ewert. Reid speculates that soz le mantel may by Béroul’s time have acquired the sense of “in secret”; Lacy: “in private”; Gregory: “between the sheets.” These lines have been variously understood; see Reid. 3483 Ms.: E dit evains lifilz dinan: all editors correct the last word to Urïen. (Dinas, Marc’s seneschal, is frequently named, invariably as Dinas not Dinan, but nowhere else as a father; there are two characters named Evain/Ivain, neither having any connection with Dinas.) The initial E must have been added by the scribe to fill out the line. 3484 Ms.: dinaalla~ (which may have led the scribe to write a name ending in -an in 3483). 3487–94 Like Lacy and Gregory, I follow Reid’s interpretation and punctuation of 3487. The rest of the speech, to 3492, foretells what Ivain means to throw at Denoalen. 3499–3503 The analogy with Iseut’s case is only approximate; but see Gregory and notes of Braet/Raynaud de Lage (the latter observing that Iseut’s recourse to Arthur is a reflection on Marc). 3502 Au partir: Reid’s translation, adopted by Gregory. 3504 Arthur, too, shows emotion by flushing. 3509f The king exhorts his household to put on a good show, and announces the bohort to come as being in honour of Iseut. Pace Padel, “Beroul’s Geography,” 89, the two parties do not go to the Blanche Lande “in order to hold the tournament at which Iseult swore her oath.” The tournament is an hors-d’œuvre; what brings the two royal parties together is the oath-taking, which occurs on the following day.

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3511–12 Syntax requires vos, scansion requires vostre. For nuef Ewert proposes “refurbished, freshly emblazoned” (see fres in 3708). 3513 Here begins the theme of the bohort, a knightly sporting event with blunted lances. See the note on 3984 of Braet/Raynaud de Lage. 3515 Ms.: sanie amer. All editors print sa vie; but there seems little question of a risk to the life of anyone reluctant to join the joust before Iseut, especially if blunt lances are to be used. (See Braet/ Raynaud de Lage, notes on 3513 and 3984.) I propose s’amie: displaying prowess before the queen will be a tribute to the beloved of any knight. (We note that many a knight in Arthur’s train has brought with him his drue [4086], and every Cornish knight has his feme with him [4124].) 3526 Ms.: Qui l; Ewert, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, and Gregory print qu’il; Muret, Payen, Walter, and Lacy qui (giving a better sense). Not that Iseut will do this herself, but will be the cause of it. 3527 The meanings and functions of parte and parlemenz have been much discussed. Muret (M0 and M4) and Reid propose substituting li for de, taking parlemenz as the subject, and attaching the line to 3528f. Walter and Lacy adopt this reading, as do I. 3531 Ms.: Li rois convoie senble lipoi; standard correction. 3543–5 Ms.: T otes ferai ses volences / P or lie (?) / uc (?) / ne (?) serai des alentez / e l meporra mlt avancier. These lines are difficult, and the following allusion to spear-throwing does not much illuminate them. Ewert II (who cites a similar episode in Eilhart) translates 3545 “she will have cause to favour me greatly” (avancier is not in his glossary); but how a queen is to favour a king not her husband is open to question. Reid has reservations about the interpretations of both Muret and Ewert. Braet/Raynaud de Lage emend to por lié serai entalentez / el me porra molt avancier and translate “Pour elle, je serai plein de zèle; / elle pourra accroître grandement mon mérite.” (Again, how this might be done is not clear.) Gregory’s understanding (“Further Notes,” 2–3) is bold but attractive: “I will not delay [this time], because she once managed to be well ahead of me.” In light of the earlier episode hinted at, and given that Arthur does indeed arrive at the Mal Pas before Iseut (he at 3702, she at 3824), we may well think that he means his eagerness to be expressed in speed. 3558–62 They are now both at Lidan, yet Perinis had departed from Tintagel; see note on 3315. 3561 The en may anticipate the next line; see Sandqvist.

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3562 Lidan is hard to localize. Braet/Raynaud de Lage place it, oddly, in Devonshire. It seems to be the fief of Marc’s seneschal Dinas (see note on 1085). If Béroul takes it to be near Tintagel, the geographical problem disappears. 4301 also implies that Dinas’s residence is nearby. One should note that the area evoked is fairly small; from Tintagel to Lantyan and from Lantyan to the Mal Pas is roughly twenty-five miles in a straight line. 3563 The significance of this datum is not apparent. 3573–4 Lines misplaced in the ms. to follow 3606; all editors correct. 3578 It must be with, not to Governal (so in Ewert, Walter, Braet/ Raynaud de Lage, and Lacy; Payen is ambiguous and Gregory gives “to”). The maistre is only intermittently separated from his lord; his presence has been implied throughout Tristran’s “exile” and he is au courant with the plan. They remain together until 3606. 3582 Ms.: Que lnenfera sanblant & signe. The line has been much discussed and variously emended. The nenfera rather hangs in the air. The reading offered here is recommended by Reid. On this line, Gregory comments: “Governal is referring to the fact that Yseut will take the initiative at the Malpas, in preparation for her ambiguous oath, and warning Tristran not to take any steps until indicated to do so by Yseut.” Yet there is no way that Governal can know in advance of this initiative; and in fact when the lovers are both at the Mal Pas (3824f.), Iseut will give no sign to Tristran (although she will wink at Dinas, 3874). Her only communication with the “leper” will be a peremptory summons (3913f.). 3583–4 Ms.: M aistre fait il siferai ie / G ardez que vos faciez mon buen. The rhyme calls for correction; most editors substitute bien for ie. This, though, gives at the rhyme bien : buen, which, as Gregory notes, is unusual in this text and in others of the period. He recommends mon : buen, the first word being a strong affirmative, the second word being taken as scribal for bon (but in his edition still printed as buen). I print bon, an emendation that provides a satisfactory sense and rhyme. 3586–9 Béroul implies that Tristran’s shield, lance, and steed, and those of Governal as well, have been kept nearby (in the celier?) during their sojourn with Orri. 3588 Ms.: the enreignez of the ms. cannot be an adjective, since mon cheval is masculine singular oblique; the past participle enreigné is called for. Nor is it likely to be an imperative (Ewert: “Put the reins on”; Braet/Raynaud de Lage: “bridez”; Walter: “harnachez”;

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Poirion: “mettez les rênes” [but why should Tristran teach Governal his job?]. Gregory, more persuasively, translates “harnessed.” I take enreigné as encompassing the horse’s usual trappings, as in 3988, to which will be added a covering, 3593–6. (Béroul will return to this; see 3999–4002.) 3602 Ms.: I. All other editors follow the ms. reading, defended by Sandqvist; but the suggested correction to G’i of Reid and Henry (“Pour le commentaire,” 65) has weight. I add that this line, as emended, offers a contrast: “Those knights coming with Arthur will joust to win fame; I, too, shall join in.” 3607–8 In the ms. these lines come between 3574 and 3576; all editors adopt Muret’s correction. 3608 One would expect the squire to take leave of his master, not the other way round. 3609–10 Governal returns alone to where he and Tristran have been staying, at Orri’s dwelling, then moves off with two sets of arms (his and Tristran’s) and their two horses, riding one and leading the other. (Later they will both be armed and mounted for jousting, 3987f.) I take son hernois as covering all the equipment he is to take away to the rendezvous near the Mal Pas. 3624, 3626 Here boçuz and bocelé are clearly distinguished in sense. There is no indication that Tristran ever plays the part of a hunchback. See note on 1162 in Braet/Raynaud de Lage. In 3626 some kind of make-up is implied. 3625f The first arrivals seem to be a miscellaneous crowd preceding the two kings and their entourages and attracted, perhaps, by early rumours of the event to come. 3628 Mar i fui!: Reid’s translation. 3631 Once again, the first person plural is used for the singular. 3632 The meaning is “draw from,” not “take out” (as in the translations of Gregory, Lacy, Walter). Braet/Raynaud de Lage and Poirion give “fait tirer leur(s) bourse(s).” Alms-purses were not worn under clothing but suspended from a belt, and thus money was readily accessible. 3634 Ms.: I lles recoit que nus nen sone. Les lacks an expressed antecedent; Braet/Raynaud de Lage translate les aumônes (yet in 3641 aumosne is singular). Muret and M4 emend nus to mot; Reid supports this, refers to 3645, and understands “without comment” in both passages. Gregory and Poirion keep the ms. readings, understanding for 3634 “and no one said a word” / “sans qu’on lui fasse la moindre

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remarque” (why should anyone say anything?), but for 3645 “Tristran … said not a word” / “Tristan écoute sans répliquer.” 3638 Since Muret, editors have corrected plus to mains (Payen is an exception). 3639 This may mean something like “living from hand to mouth” or “eating pickings.” 3640 Perhaps Tristran is concealing his face (and make-up) for fear of being recognized; see 3585. In 3953, approaching the crowd on the shore, he will again keep his head down. 3645 Ms.: mot ne sone; a following “except that” is implied. 3653 Ms.: de franc orine; most editors from Muret onwards emend to bone orine, for no compelling reason. At the least (orine being feminine) one should print franche, as does Payen alone; Sandqvist approves. 3663–5 Ms.: p ensent vas let & escuier Qui l se hast denus alegier & destres tendre lorseignors. Three puzzling lines. Poirion alone lets ms. 3664 stand. This activity must take place on the far side of the marsh. The correction of hast to hastent is usual. Many other emendations have been proposed. See Reid (“The Tristran of Beroul: One Author or Two?,” 284 and Commentary) for the grammatical and cultural reasons for the adjustments he persuasively makes to the passage (Ewert II calls them “bold”) and which I adopt, e.g., pensent emended to passent. I add in support of passent that it is unlike both Béroul and Béroul II to concern themselves with what servants and squires may be thinking. See also the note of Braet/Raynaud de Lage, whose reading is more traditional. 3663f The narrative of the Mal Pas scene is particularly murky. The varlets and squires pass before Tristran, somehow get across the marsh, and set up camp, seemingly without difficulty. Then come the knights (Marc’s), whose horses sink into the mire and whose clothes become muddied. Afterwards Arthur arrives with his barons of the Round Table, all of whom joust before the ford, as does Arthur himself a little later (3778). Tristran calls to King Arthur and solicits his gaiters (3702–32). Then Marc arrives (3742–3). Tristran obtains his hood and gives him a fictitious history of his illness. The two kings meet and converse, wondering how the queen will deal with the Mal Pas; they agree to stay where they are and observe (3785–7). The three felons come to the ford and are misdirected by the “leper”; they are all three in the mire when Iseut arrives, escorted by Andret. Soon he and Dinas (who knows or guesses Iseut’s plan) cross by a ford somewhat downstream (3876–9), and get across fairly clean. By this time Iseut is alone,

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except for the “leper,” and is being watched by the crowd on the other side of the ford, an assemblage that includes the two kings and their barons (3880–1). Iseut prepares her palfrey, drives it across, and orders the “leper” to carry her to the far side by the walkway of planks – in full view of all the observers now gathered there. The passage is rendered confusing and indeed incoherent by the movements of the two kings and their suites, by the fact that some groups manage to get from one side of the marsh to the other without coming to grief, and by the shifting focus on those in the mire (from the general crowd to the three felons and back again). 3675 Par contraire has been variously understood: see Henry (“Sur le vers 3675,” 275–7) and Braet/Raynaud de Lage II. 3677–8 The repetition of the rhyme-word makes these lines questionable. 3680 Ms.: Q ant ilpensent estre essaier; M1 to M4 print Qant il le pensent essaier, followed by Poirion (who understands “quand ils ont l’idée d’essayer le terrain”). Ewert and other later editors give Qant il pensent outre essaier except for Gregory, who proposes, improbably, “When they thought they were out on dry land” (“Further Notes,” 141–2, and edition). 3683 The hueses would be something like boots or overshoes. 3684 “Drew out”: from under his clothing? 3685–6 The non-rhyme voitre : cuite seems not to have drawn editorial comment. 3691 See note on 3300–2. 3700 Ms.: qui (for cui?). Editors take qui as being for que, and so translate. 3701–2 Ms.: seurs : artus. The first is correct (nominative singular masculine), the second is not (es vos requires the oblique singular masculine, as in le roi artur). This, though, would not rhyme with seurs, which is preceded by a singular pronoun and verb (“the one who crosses it”). Deriving seurs (= seürs) from savoir and taking it as denoting the disguised Tristran (as Reid) create further difficulties. The problem seems intractable. (The same error with Artus will soon recur, 3714, 3739, but not at the rhyme.) 3703 Here passeor has a different meaning from that in 3698; see Ewert II and Reid. 3708 For cras/gras, see 3512. 3710 covert, sc., covered with armour (see M4: “couverts [de l’armure”], not “fully clothed,” as Gregory, or “bien habillés,” as

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Poirion, or “crottés” [sc. “covered with mud”], as Payen). As for the ms. & mens que pie, it is a mixed construction, usually corrected; see Sandqvist’s note. With the plural pié ( : entreseignié), I conserve the plural mens of the ms. 3711 With the past participle levé, maint drap de soie can only mean “many a silken banner or hanging,” not clothing (pace Payen, Poirion, and Gregory). 3721–2 Foulet (“Marie de France,” 264) suggested that this reference might put this part of the poem in the last decade of the twelfth century; it cannot, though, be very specific. 3731 Ms.: avoit; most editors (except Payen, supported by Sandqvist) give en ot. This being a temporary and finite impulse, the preterite rather than the imperfect is more suitable. 3734–5 Ms.: O tot sennet / senvet isnelement / A sisseserest sorla muterne: lines badly copied and perhaps muddled. One might conjecture *Otot s’en ve[s]t isnelement / Asis se rest sor la muterne, sc. “He puts them on quickly / he has sat down again on the mound.” This is the understanding of Payen, Walter, Lacy, and Gregory. (Both vet [= goes] and vest [puts on] appear elsewhere in the text.) Braet/ Raynaud de Lage translate: “les emporte.” Yet there is no indication that the “leper” has left his mound to speak to Arthur, but only called him over (3714); hence his quickly returning to it is dubious. (We may imagine him coming down a few steps to take the gaiters from Arthur’s squires and putting them on before sitting down again.) 3740–1 This seems to be a reprise of 3615–16 and 3625. Perhaps here, as elsewhere, such a repetition marks a break in the narrative and/or pause in the recitation. 3755–6 Why Tristran should conceal Marc’s hood has not been explained. (Braet/Raynaud de Lage II take it that he also does not put on Arthur’s gaiters, although he has complained of cold; but see note on 3734.) Perhaps his showing or wearing the hood might discourage others from making gifts. 3757–76 Tristran’s response to Marc’s friendly questioning is an audacious mixture of fact and fiction. He had indeed been away from society for three years and had had a love affair with a married woman; but her husband was not a leper and did not contract leprosy from her. 3759 Lepers were excluded from society; see 1209. 3760 Ms.: .i. arrement. The text is certainly corrupt; several corrections have been proposed, from Muret’s i a ne ment to Braet/Raynaud de

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Lage’s conservative a arrement. See the extensive notes of Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Sandqvist, and Gregory (“Further Notes,” 143–4). I adopt Gregory’s emendation to vairement (see “Further Notes,” 142–3). 3776 NB: pace Machta (325), Tristran does not call his lover “la bele Yseut.” 3783 For dans rois see 3771. As for orendroit, this adverb appears only one other time in the text, within a line (1187). Here it gives a false rhyme and contributes nothing to the sense; and 3784 lacks a verb. All editors correct to o Andret. For this character, see 2870, 3877, and 4035–40. 3788 Ms. qui for cui. 3794 Ms.: v ezla celtorbe. Since torbe is normally feminine, one might expect cele, but the resulting line would be hypermetrical. Various solutions have been proposed (see Sandqvist); Reid’s, followed here and by Poirion, is the most economical, and turns the line into a query. 3797–8 An imperfect rhyme perhaps due to the scribe. See Ewert II, par. A 25, pp. 13–14; I adopt his emendation faigne to save the rhyme. I so correct 3799 as well. In the ms. appear fanc (3794, 3815), fans (3671), fangoi (3687), and fange (3797, 3799). 3803–6 Since the felons are in no position to give alms, this plea is ironical. 3805 Braet/Raynaud de Lage take this as a reference to the pope. 3828 Implied is Iseut’s dismounting with the help of Dinas and Andret. 3829–30 How the two royal parties get safely to the far side is not explained. 3840, 3843 This stick (baston), which falls into the mire, cannot be the crutch (puiot) still to be used by Tristran in 3928 and 3935, unless we are to imagine two words being used of the same prop, attached to Tristran’s neck by a cord (3617–19). The stick/crutch may here be treacherously offered as a help to the floundering Denoalen, released when seized by the latter, then retrieved by Tristran (who draws it back by the cord). 3840–4 The distribution of lines is less than clear. The cil of 3842 implies a change of subject from Tristran to Denoalen. I conjecture Cil les l[u]i tent, les having mains as antecedent. 3843 Ms.: lilet tottegrez (or totregrez); the usual emendation to li let li degiez (= leper) goes back to Paris and Muret. Gregory reads tot degrez and understands tot de gre with a final z added for the rhyme:

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“quite deliberately”; see “Further Notes,” 143–4. This small change is economical, and the audience does not need to be reminded that Tristran is a “leper.” 3849 Ms.: lemal dagres. This mysterious allusion has been enlisted in attempts to date the poem, a malady associated with the Siege of Acre (1190–1) sometimes being proposed. See Whitteridge, “The Date of the Tristan of Beroul” and “The Tristan of Béroul,” Blakeslee, 152–7, Blakeslee and Burgess, Braet/Raynaud de Lage II, and Lacy, all of whom have their reservations on this. If it is indeed a reference to a “mal d’Acre” it is unique (Braet/Raynaud de Lage.) See the long notes of these last editors, also those of Gregory and Lacy. 3866 That is, the near side, where Tristran and the queen remain. 3872 Ms.: posenadoise, which is meaningless even if printed pos en adoise. One might emend pos to poi[n], = poi[nt] (Tobler, M4, Ewert, Reid, Payen, Lacy). Braet/Raynaud de Lage print poi, Gregory (“Notes on the Text,” 16) gives pos and translates “any of it.” 3877 We must imagine Iseut’s escorts as having by now remounted. 3885–98 Braet/Raynaud de Lage raise, inconclusively, the question of what the spectators make of these preparations; there is no explanation offered in the text. Béroul II has drawn a picture of many horses, burdened by armed men, coming to grief in the marshy ford; Iseut’s palfrey, though, carries only its saddle and bridle, and crosses without difficulty. As for its rider, there remains the wooden walkway; but if Iseut uses it there is still a good chance of spoiling her splendid clothes (now described) and she will not take the risk. (She remounts in 3982–3.) 3899–3900 Muret’s interpretation, approved by Reid and printed by most editors. See 3883–4. By now every eye is on Iseut. 3910 Ms.: Qui empare; a direct object is needed. Both empare and the suggested correction embare, with or without a direct object, pose lexicographical problems. Lacy prints the line as written, adding “it” in his translation. See the notes of Ewert, Reid, Sandqvist, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, and Gregory. My solution is tentative. 3913–27 All of this dialogue can be taken as having erotic overtones, as Reid, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Poirion, Lacy, and Burch (“Leprosy and Law”) have remarked. Note parler, 3927. 3922 Bocu and desfait have the wrong case-endings (but the latter rhymes with plet). 3924–5 The “leper” not in fact having the disease, Iseut cannot catch it; her words are meant for her audience.

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3928 Frappier (“Sur deux passages,” 257, note) calls sovent an intensifier (an interpretation more applicable here than in the other lines he cites). 3931 Ladies normally rode aside; but it is essential to Iseut’s plan that this time she “ride” astride. The explanatory note of Braet/Raynaud de Lage II is rather fanciful: why would even “un chevalier encore peu expérimenté” mount a horse by climbing over its rump? 3932 Presumably he smiles because he guesses Iseut’s stratagem. 3934 Ms.: T uit les gardent. I follow Reid’s reading l’esgardent, called “possible” by Ewert (l’ for Iseut), and note that 3883 and 3899 support it. Nearly all modern editors but Poirion (who does not translate it, nor do I) take l’ as referring to Iseut; Gregory, though, takes Tristran as the antecedent. Without doubt this is the most theatrical scene of the preserved text. Iseut is both stage-manager and leading lady. 3935 The subject of tient is Tristran; Ses cuises (and sa hanche, 3946) must refer to Iseut. The poet’s depiction of the arrangement is less than specific. One may imagine the “leper” passing his crutch behind himself and gripping it in both hands to support the weight of his “rider,” once she is up; he is temporarily without the aid of his usual prop. This would account for his unsteadiness in 3936–8 and 3944–6. The soz of the ms. (sozlieve) is corrected to sor by all editors. 3935–48 On this much-discussed passage, see Ewert. 3936 Ms. clot in the sense of “limps” is not attested (unlike clop < cloper), but see clochier in 3944. Perhaps Tristran steps forward with one foot and then drags along the other? 3944 Ms.: qi set clochier. Muret (his 3948) corrects to seut (“is in the habit of”); Reid and Lacy adopt this without explaining how Tristran might have acquired such a habit. Payen gives seut without translating it. Sandqvist takes note of the frequent confusion of s and f in the ms. and proposes reading fet, the subject being la roïne and qui (= cui =que) serving as the direct object. Braet/Raynaud de Lage and Gregory so understand the line (and print qui). 3945 Ms.: desoz; emendation of Paris, Muret, Ewert, and most recent editors. 3946 Ms.: desoz again, and here used correctly. See Frappier (“Sur deux passages,” 256–8) and Braet/Raynaud de Lage II. The ms. son refers to Tristran, sa to Iseut. 3947–9 Three lines with the same rhyme. Either the scribe omitted a fourth line, or he added an isolated third line (Ewert II, 7). The latter surmise seems more probable in view of 3951–2: Arthur turns that way, and the others follow suit; that the damoisel would rush there

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first without order or leave is not likely. Reid comments that 3949 “could certainly be dispensed with.” (NB: omitting it is tempting, but this would change the line-numbering and complicate subsequent references to other editions.) 3953 See note on 3640. Tristran is now approaching the edge of the marsh; the crowd there is observing him (3934–52), and despite his costume some might recognize his face. See also line 823 of the Oxford Folie Tristran, where Tristran reminds Isolt that once, in disguise, carrying her before spectators, “Le chef teneie mult embrunc” (i.e., well down). 3957–8 Difficult lines; see Reid. Ms. Li anticipates Yseut. Gregory takes 3958 to be direct speech; but for the “leper” to address her so, with a definite article, would be most odd. See 3868 and 3920, where he uses dame and roïne franche. For de retour Ewert II gives “ask (in exchange)”; Reid, p. 72, takes li as a proleptic duplication of la bele Yseut in 3958. Ewert I, Glossary, gives “redemander, v.a.: ask (in exchange).” Reid, pp. 129–30, note on these lines with reference to note on 1944–7. Braet/Raynaud de Lage II translate “en retour.” 3962–9 One might suspect the presence of an obscene double entendre, opaque to the other characters and of a piece with Tristran’s fictitious genealogy of his disease, 3761f. 3965–6 The aloiere is a scrip (wallet or pouch) suspended from the belt (guige). 3971–3 Iseut was not present when Arthur and then Marc made these gifts to Tristran (3724–34, 3749–56), yet somehow knows their provenance. 3974–5 Obscure lines, much discussed. Reid’s emendation of the ms. 3974, a chat bien lit to achat berbiz adopted by Braet/Raynaud de Lage and Gregory, makes sense of the pair of lines taken together: two kinds of animal, two sorts of occupation. I note that qui past le tai echoes the “leper’s” just having served as a beast of burden: a donkey would lighten his task (see 3918). One notes that all three verbs are in the subjunctive. 3982–3 That is, the squires of the kings do this. Then the two royal parties turn away from the shore of the marsh. 3986 How Tristran and Governal find one another beyond the Mal Pas is never explained. 3987–90 These must be their own mounts, those they had been riding all along since their pretended departure for Tristran’s exile (2927f.), then left behind with Governal at the dwelling of Orri when Tristan

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went off in his leper’s disguise. These lines form a supplement to the instructions in 3586–8; the detail of the Castilian origin of the horses is new, and non-essential. 3989 It appears that, contrary to the usual practice in jousting, Tristran and Governal carry lances with iron tips; see 4022, 4051–4. This detail seems not to have elicited critical notice. 3992–5 The movements narrated are less than clear. Tristran leaves the assembly and comes to his companion, who is awaiting him (where?) with horses and equipment, and who turns rapidly away from there (from where?). 3999–4002 The disguise of the hero’s white horse, easily recognizable, recalls 3593–6, where Tristran orders Governal to cover it. The scribe appears to have muddled the details here, writing C oste silie destrier et targe / O ut covert . . ., with Bel Joëor as subject of the verb. Clearly destrier is faulty, and targe, even though it rhymes, is rare, and suspect. Coste has been understood as cote = tunic (Muret, Payen, Walter, Lacy); it has not been explained how a knight was to joust while keeping a single covering at least the size of a sheet over his tunic and also his mount and shield. Nor do the editors and translators who favour cote deal with the improbable notion of a knight, however disguised, going into a sport as rough as the bohort with only a length of cloth over his tunic or, a fortiori, his leper’s rags (see Tristran’s relief when Governal earlier brought him a hauberjon, 1015). There is no reason why Béroul should again specify so routine a piece of equipment as a halberk. Gregory (“Further Notes,” 145–7) makes a good case for taking all four of these lines as applying to the horse and its equipment, not the rider. I adopt his emendations of 3999: coste silie = costes, ilier, destrier = estrier, while making all three substantives plural, and go on to observe that the covering mentioned in the following line need not be visualized as one large piece of black serge cloth draped over Bel Joëor (a most impractical arrangement). What is being sketchily described is a trapper (or caparison), in the usual two pieces covering the front and rear halves of the animal, being joined under the saddle but allowing access to the girth and, indispensably, to the stirrups. It would descend to the horse’s white fetlocks (necessarily still visible, but they in themselves would not identify the animal). The two large panels would be secured by the saddle, a common arrangement in the period, and by ties at chest and rump. Another piece of black cloth, un noir voil, is wrapped about the animal’s face, and is no doubt held

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in place by the straps of the bridle. Thus the white steed is entirely disguised, et chief et poil, head and coat. As for Tristran, he would have no reason to veil his own head and hair, if he had a halberk with a mail coif or ventail, or else wore a helmet; at a distance a helmet with its usual nasal would make identifying him difficult for spectators and opponents alike. Granted that Béroul mentions helmet no more than he does halberk; he also does not state that Governal brings his own sword with him, but by 4006 each man has one (Tristran having worn his all the while under his leper’s disguise, 3575–6). Thus the most likely way of envisioning the scene, confusingly depicted by the poet, is that Governal has brought Tristran’s white horse covered fore and aft with two large pieces of heavy cloth joined together, descending to the fetlocks. 4003–4 Tristran has Iseut’s pennon (mentioned in 3603), which she will recognize (4033). 4009 La Blanche Lande: a name (or its equivalents in other languages) often encountered. Here it designates a manor in Cornwall, near the Mal Pas, attested in the mid-thirteenth century. See Padel, “The Cornish Background,” 60–1. 4011 The en, without antecedent, must imply “of them,” sc. knights. 4020 Ms. rote cannot be “crowd” (as most translators, as well as Reid, and Ewert in his glossary). What crowd could there be, given that this pair of unknown knights is just coming into sight from a distance? Disguised as they are, they still have good reason not to mingle with the others on the main track. For rote see 1529 and 1618. Payen, accurately: they “s’écartent du chemin.” 4020–44 See Braet/Raynaud de Lage on this, Tristran’s only participation in knightly combat. 4021 Ms.: pres; emendation to “pris” of Ewert and Reid, followed by Gregory. See 4037. (Payen oddly translates “l’écu brandi,” his 3991; Braet/Raynaud de Lage give pres but translate “au poing”; Lacy also prints pres and understands “ready.”) The shield, when not in use, was slung over the back; these riders are holding theirs ready for action. 4022 For fers, see note on 3989. These are the iron tips (not “blades”) of the lances. Governal’s enseigne is not described. 4025–6 The abrupt change of subject suggests an inversion of the lines (not heretofore noted). 4026–7 The two kings speak more of the two approaching riders, who bear their arms so well, than of their own two bands of followers

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(compaignes = companies of knights, not compaignes = “épouses,” as Payen, his 3997). 4031 Ewert (II) calls this the first manoeuvre in a tourney, when each knight seeks an opponent. 4033–5 Iseut easily identifies them, having sent the pennon to Tristran herself (4003–4). By now she is remounted (3982–3) and, with Brengain, has moved off to the side of the lists, where she can see and be seen. When Tristran strikes Andret he throws him down at her palfrey’s feet. (This must be the second Andret; see note on 2870.) 4035–59 Here Andret and also Marc’s denouncing forester (see 1837f.) are seen as companions of Arthur’s knights. (We note that the forester, killed by Perinis in 2759–62, has seemingly returned to life.) 4038 Ms.: en mie le vis: an unattested locution. Lacy offers “he charged headlong”; Braet/Raynaud de Lage “il fonce de plein front”; Gregory “he made a direct attack.” Ewert offers “in the middle of” (I, Glossary). 4045–8 The poet implies that Governal recognizes the forester and takes revenge, yet Governal was absent when the forester came to the shelter, went off to Marc, and returned with him (1838–2054). 4052 Ms.: cuir. The line is puzzling. Sandqvist would emend to cuer, yet this seems unlikely on anatomical grounds. Reid suggests “a part of the lance below the blade.” The leather hand-grip has also been proposed (Lacy, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Gregory). (This would implausibly imply nearly the whole length of the lance passing through the forester’s body.) Payen and Walter do not deal with cuir. Muret/ Defourques, glossary, cuir: “peau humaine.” Braet (Béroul, Le Roman de Tristan) translates “la peau.” Poirion (Tristan et Yseut, les premières versions européennes) resigns himself to “l’acier ressort de l’autre côté avec le cuir.” Perhaps the word designates leather lacings attaching the iron tip to the shaft? 4061 How Gauvain recognizes Marc’s forester is not explained. 4064 Ms.: bricons. Editors have printed this, and added an -s to the preceding connoison. Muret0–4 prints bricon, as does Ewert; see tenir por ber (masculine singular oblique, 1178), and Gregory’s “Notes on the Text.” 4065 Ms. : Siles prenons; standard correction since Muret. 4066 Ms. Qui es (= qui les). The king is Arthur, more prominent than Marc in this episode. 4075 Muret, glossary: “tenir la droite de qqn, chevaucher à sa droite”; Ewert, glossary, destroier: “ride on the right hand of.” All previous

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translators seemingly have accepted this reading, yet it is highly dubious. Iseut would again be riding side-saddle, with both legs on the near (= left) side of her palfrey and her feet on the foot-rest. If Arthur rides on her right, she perforce has her back to him and must talk to him, if at all, over her shoulder – an uncomfortable arrangement. Far more convenient would be for Arthur to act as Iseut’s squire, managing his own mount with his left hand (as he would do in combat, and as a modern riding instructor does with a neophyte’s mount) and holding the queen’s rein with his right (as a squire would do with a destrier, whence the name, and as a modern mounted groom does when leading a race-horse). This arrangement is earlier implied in 2770–2849, where Tristran holds the rein of Iseut’s palfrey and converses with her at length as they ride towards Marc. He even draws her close to him and embraces her – scarcely possible if she has her back to him. Godefroy’s dictionary does not include destroier in the sense of “accompany” or “lead,” but gives destrer: “v.a.: être à droite de, accompagner,” yet, contradictorily, destré, past participle, “ayant à sa droite.” (His numerous citations, especially that from Perceforest, unmistakably have ladies riding on the right of their escorts.) The dictionary of Tobler-Lommatzsch does give the term, but ambiguously: “auf der rechten Seite begleiten.” (To accompany on whose right side?) The word does not figure in the glossary of M2 (1922); it does in M4 (1967) as, oddly, “tenir la droite de qqn. chevaucher à sa droite.” This erroneous reading of the line seems never to have been challenged previously. 4077 Lacuna; the following line is obscure. 4079–80 All editors have let stand the identical rhyme. 4080–4113 Braet/Raynaud de Lage draw attention to the courtly tone marking this scene: the exchange of courtesies and of gifts, the rich clothing, the musical instruments, etc. 4081 Ms. corbel; standard correction since Muret (but not in Ewert or Gregory). The implication may be “even the tent-ropes.” No expense is spared; see 4080–4103. 4085 The final word has the sense of “covered,” i.e., with people and tents. 4086 Ms. vestue: a repetition of the preceding rhyme-word, hence suspect. The emendation to sa drue goes back to Muret. Braet/Raynaud de Lage print the apparently contradictory 4123–4 (knights have brought their wives) – but perhaps the conjectural drue can be taken as a general term for “beloved.”

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4087–9 That is, anyone who did not join in the nocturnal hunt still heard the horn-calls; these may announce the pursuit (see Ewert, Glossary) or the stag being at bay (Ewert, Commentary), or perhaps the return from a successful hunt (Reid). (The interpretations of Walter and Gregory, taking ot as the third person preterite of avoir, are wide of the mark.) 4089 The two royal parties have settled down near each other. 4095 It is tempting to emend to Sa privee maisni’ i maine. 4099 Ms.: D elaine; most editors retain (as do Braet/Raynaud de Lage, although they translate “S’il y en eut de laine …”) 4111–16 This passage is particularly rich in sound-effects. 4112 Ms.: Qui fu; emendation of Muret and M4 (to agree with the present subjunctive Oïst of 4113), approved by Reid and adopted by Gregory. See, though, the note of Braet/Raynaud de Lage. 4114–15 Reid’s interpretation (“On the Text,” 265), which I follow, is generally accepted (but not by Walter or Braet/Raynaud de Lage). 4115–20 If the pre-dawn thunder betokens coming heat, and the sun is already warm by Prime (the first hour of the day; see note on 873), then 4120 is puzzling: can frime here have its usual sense of “hoarfrost” (Ewert, Glossary; Braet/Raynaud de Lage print givre)? Lacy gives “dew,” which is far less unlikely. 4116 Ms.: l es gaites ot corner. One would expect li gaite; the ot is generally corrected to ont, as at 2456. Sandqvist tries to defend ot; but making gaites singular is unconvincing: why should only one watchman be charged with giving important signals to such a large assembly? One might suspect that Béroul II, or the scribe, looked back to the earlier part of the text (2456?) and borrowed a few words from a similar incident. 4123–4 On such rhymes, here and elsewhere (e.g., 883–4), see Ewert II, 15, end of par. A. Since the reigne is Cornwall, the cort must be Marc’s court, i.e., wherever he is. 4126 Here the roi is Arthur, who will preside. 4127–8 Inverting these lines, as I have done, gives a more logical order: first the length of silk is viewed from a distance, spread out on the grass, then from closer up so that the small embroidered motifs can be seen. 4132 Ms.: autres ceres. The last word does not fit the context, unless we take it as scribal for serres (Reid, Gregory). Other editors give bieres, but the meaning required here is not attested for that word.

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The rhyme filatieres : ser(r)es leaves something to be desired, but so do other of the poet’s rhymes. 4134 mases remains problematical. One might conjecture the tips of ceremonial maces, with relics enclosed. 4135 Ms.: S or lepailes les orent mises. No subject is expressed; a “they” is implied. See Ewert and Braet/Raynaud de Lage. Given the negative quality of the whole phrase, les is best emended to nes. I take the line as meaning: “There were no relics in all of Cornwall that had not been placed on the brocade.” 4141–3 Lines less than clear and variously understood. I adopt Reid’s emendation of 4142, sifait mervelle to si grant mervelle. Many editors change 4143 sil for cil, as do I (correction of Ewert, Reid, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage). Lacy and Gregory print si fait mervelle. See the notes in Reid, Sandqvist, and Gregory (“Further Notes,” 147 and edition). 4141–69 Arthur, opening the proceedings, reveals at once that he considers Iseut to be the innocent victim of slander, apparently unaware that Marc and the felons had themselves seen Tristran’s blood on the floor and in the bed of the royal chamber (767–80). His speech effectively prohibits any reference to the bedroom scene, even by those who had been eyewitnesses of the evidence. (In fact, they play no part in the whole oath-taking episode, although they will be named and admonished by Gauvain, 4238–9.) Arthur’s tone to his fellow sovereign is highly peremptory. 4149 Ms.: qui; Reid’s emendation, adopted by Gregory. Sandqvist retains qui (see his note on 270), as do Braet/Raynaud de Lage. See also Gregory’s note on 2208. 4158 Ms.: oiez (imperative). Gregory argues tellingly for the future orez. As for qui ara tort, both Ewert and Reid find it obscure, as do I. Perhaps we should understand: “who will be [proven] wrong” (sc. Iseut or her accusers)? 4163–6 This is the wording of the oath Iseut is to swear; it turns on her relations with Marc’s nephew alone. 4164 The expression ne deus ne une is not attested elsewhere. Reid conjectures “at all” or “in any degree.” Braet/Raynaud de Lage venture “Un amour, partagé ou non”; but cf. 4163. 4171–2 Here the scribe disregards both rhyme (tort : croit) and reason. 4179–81 See the note in Braet/Raynaud de Lage on the feebleness of Marc’s quasi-apology. 4180 Ms.: C a; M4 emends to S’a, and Reid agrees. But Sandqvist points to the lack of a subject; Gregory takes C a as equivalent to Qu’a

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(“Further Notes,” 147–8); the antecedent must be the calling of this assembly. 4185 Reid interprets “close to them,” Gregory “close between the two of them,” which leaves as mains unaccounted for. Other scholars (Lacy, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Walter, Payen) understand that each of the kings holds Iseut by one of her hands. I find this reading persuasive, and suggest that it may have textual support (or at least may be anticipated thematically) in Iseut’s bad dream after Marc has discovered the lovers in their bower and spared them. She dreamt of two hungry lions; Chascun la prenoit par la main (2072). 4189–90 Arthur’s physical closeness to Iseut is expressive of his more sympathetic attitude. 4191–6 Arthur, taking charge, summons Iseut to swear to the seemliness of Tristran’s love for both his uncle and his uncle’s spouse. His language is courtly and general; Iseut’s oath (4205–16) is crude and specific. 4197–4216 Iseut’s oath turns from the nature of Tristran’s love to her own experience of the preceding day. It also deftly avoids answering Arthur’s charge, while being in appearance more inclusive. 4201 On St Hilaire and laxity in the matter of oaths, see Jonin, Personnages, 344–8. The poet may have chosen the name for the rhyme; but this particular saint counselled specifically in favour of simplicity in oath-taking and against equivocation. Braet/Raynaud de Lage II are sceptical on this point. 4202–4 The nouns, pronouns, and adjectives of the ms. make for confusion. 4202 reads C es reliques cest saintuaire; in 4203 we find totes (feminine plural) celes, in 4204 tuit (masculine plural) celes. It has been proposed (by Muret) to correct 4202 cest to cist, and (by Muret and Ewert) to change 4204, tuit celes, to tuit icil. This would make of all these nouns and adjectives so many subjects of (singular) aït, in loose coordination with Dex et Saint Ylaire (in the common formula si m’aït …). This is my reading, and that of Lacy and Gregory. For others see Walter, Braet/Raynaud de Lage II, and Sandqvist. Reid explores several possibilities. 4206 For reservations concerning fist soi (ms.: sor) some, proposed emendations, and also defenses of the ms. reading, see Reid and Braet/Raynaud de Lage II (the latter supplying references to Moignet, 563–4 and Hunt, 40–1). Normal Old French usage would require “qui se fist some” (= somier; see Iseut’s reference to the “leper” as an asne, 3918, and her

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recommendation that he buy one, 3975); yet some as “beast of burden” seems not to be attested, unlike some = “burden.” Reid conjectures qui (=cui) fis sorsome, sc. “to whom I made a heavy load.” (Another possibility is qui (= cui) je fis some, which is more economical.) 4208 All words applying to Marc, governed by the preposition fors, should be in the oblique case, and guez should be singular for rhyme as well as sense (there is only one ford involved; see 3712 and 3789, but see also 4229–30). 4217–31 Public opinion, voiced in this unison chorus, entirely favours Iseut; the spectators will repeat almost verbatim (4225–30) her statement in 4205–8, and call her accusers fel (4222). 4219 eniure has been variously understood. It is not evident why fiere should be read as an adjective describing Iseut (its usual meaning is “proud” or “arrogant”). Ewert II proposes that it may have adverbial force. It is not even clear whether jure is noun or verb. Reid (“On the Text,” 266–7) proposes enjure = injure and interprets: “so cruel a wrong! So well has she afterwards justified herself against it!” This interpretation, although bold, does make sense both in itself and as an introduction to the following lines. I add that such a reading leads seamlessly into the crowd’s unanimous siding with Iseut against her accusers, now designated as li fel (for felon, 4222). The “wrong” may be the original charge, or else her now having to refute it in public. 4221–2 The syntax is confused (fel for felon, nominative plural masculine, required by the verbs), and disoient lacks a subject. Furthermore, no one has brought a charge against the queen; there is only Arthur’s summation followed by the oath in a form that he provides. (Unlike other editors, I emend 4222 to read Li felon, ni ne requeroient.) 4225 Ms.: f ors du roi & de son nevo: another problematical line, for the oath-taking involves two kings (Arthur and Marc) and two nephews (Gauvain and Tristran, although the latter is not named in Iseut’s oath). Certainly a specific exception for the king (Marc) and his nephew is not acceptable; the reference must be to Arthur and Gauvain (Reid). The fors du/de are also questionable. One should note that in the preceding passage, 4184–4206, fors without de appears thrice in initial position, and clearly bearing the meaning “except for.” Gregory understands the unusual fors de/du in 4225 as “in addition to,” as in the Anglo-Norman Dictionary, I think rightly. The de/du in 4225 may well indicate a different function of the preposition.

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See also the substantial commentaries of Ewert, Reid, Braet/Raynaud de Lage, and Gregory. This line figures in the unanimous response (4219–31) of the two combined audiences, repeating the substance of what they have just heard Iseut swear before them all, including the listening king and his nephew. 4229 Again, guez is oddly plural (but rhymes with the correct esposez). Terce: the second canonical hour: mid-morning. 4232 Ms.: l imes or l inies or l unes artus has been transcribed in several ways. Li rois Artus (as Ewert, Walter, Lacy, Braet/Raynaud de Lage) is to be rejected, and for a reason that has not heretofore been noted: Arthur does not now rise to his feet, since like Marc he has been standing beside Iseut and holding her hand before and during her oath-taking (4183–5). All other witnesses have been seated (4183–4). We can take Gauvain, now rising here, to be Arthur’s spokesman; it is he who will if necessary come spurring to the queen’s defence from wherever he may be (4241–6), and he whom she thanks in 4247. (She thanks Arthur separately in 4251.) I emend Artus to the oblique Artur. 4233 Ms.: l iroi; Muret’s correction (but not in M4 or in other later editions except Payen’s). The li is probably due to a mechanical copying of the word just above it in 4232. 4237–40 Gauvain now pronounces the names of the three felons, and threatens them. 4241 Ms.: seront; Reid emends to seroie. (It is not that Gauvain would seek them out in some distant land – how would he learn of their presence there?) Muret, Ewert, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage retain seront (but the latters’ reading of the line is mistaken, as is that of Payen, Walter, Poirion, and Lacy); Gregory prints serons and understands (as I do) “I and my men.” (See allons, present indicative first person plural, 4245.) There is another argument in favour of serons. Earlier in the text a single speaker, Perinis, approaching Isneldone and getting news of Arthur’s whereabouts, says to a shepherd ia en iron (3382). Having found the king and delivered Iseut’s message, he underscores its accuracy: Rois, se nos ja de ce menton, Si me tenez a losengier (3430–1). In both cases Béroul II alternates between first person singular and first person plural. 4241–6 This promise, with vocabulary, verb tenses, rhyme terre and gerre, and all, is very close to Tristran’s in 2689–91 (cited by Reid). The similarity justifies the correction of ms. 4242, Qui l maintenist to Que m’en tenist made by Muret, M4, Walter, Lacy, and Braet/Raynaud de

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Lage. In 4245, all editors have hitherto retained the present indicative first person plural allons of the ms. (but see Reid’s persuasive note). The sense is: “Wherever I am and whatever I may be doing, nothing would prevent me from acting on an appeal from the queen.” 4252 Ms.: ievos asur; the correction goes back to Muret (Ewert, M4, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage print the ms. reading). See Ewert II, 22, #44 (but see also 28, #57) and Reid. 4255 Ms.: amor; but anor is much the better word (Braet/Raynaud de Lage II, Gregory); see Marc’s similar speech to Arthur, 4175–7, and with word anor written clearly in 4177. 4256 Arthur, too, brands the accusing barons as felon in Marc’s hearing. 4266 Tristran is in the vicinity somewhere, having disappeared after 4068–9; his enemies will soon learn that he and Governal are nearby, presumably staying with Dinas (4301). 4285–6 Like Ewert, Walter, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage, I invert the ms. lines to give a more natural succession of ideas: “Tristran hides, I know where; Tristran is very foxy; when the king goes off …” Malpertuis: the fox’s den in the Roman de Renart (named in Branch Va, the oldest branch, dated around 1174–7; see Braet/Raynaud de Lage, note on 4285). The word after Tristran is clearly set: “knows about.” Gregory gives fet, but fet de plus place-name is unusual. Gregory and Lacy retain the ms. order. 4287 The expression congié prendre certainly does not mean “to say farewell” (as Braet/Raynaud de Lage, Walter, and Lacy). The subject of the verb must be Tristran; why would he go into the royal chamber – and in Marc’s absence – merely to take leave? Gregory offers “for his amorous assignation.” Congié prendre is a euphemism similar to parler when used of an assignation; see 4283, 4330, and note on 657. For possible emendations to congié see Muret and Reid (but taking the ms. congie as standing for son gre and hence as a scribal error for son sez/ses sez (as Reid) is paleographically dubious). 4292–3 An anticipation of 4422–3. 4294 Ms.: E nuit uererrez uenir parmain; the line has been variously corrected. Gregory prints Enuit le verrez venir main. I follow this, with Reid’s emendation to l’i (which goes back to Muret); both these corrections supply the missing direct object pronoun. 4304 Ms.: O uuerronos, variously corrected. Like Gregory, I supply a direct object pronoun.

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4307 Ms.: quant leuratin; the last word, whatever it is, must rhyme with argent (4308; but see Ewert II, 14–15). Muret in his later editions, Ewert, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage emend to quant l’en ratent (= “as much as I expect for it”); Lacy understands “and I expect to [sc., have it].” Reid challenges this interpretation, conjecturing quant ert (r)ataint (= “when he is caught”); this, though, seems not to agree with other details of the compact. Gregory brings forward the possibility of quant le vos rent being in the scribe’s model (yet the future would be normal with quant). Furthermore, the spy did not promise to hand over Tristran but only offered to show him to the felons (4306, 4311). Nor is Reid’s reference to Ogrin’s report of the reward earlier offered for Tristran’s delivery to the king (1372–3) useful here, given the different sums involved (then a hundred marks for his capture, now one mark merely for the chance to observe him). No solution to these problems is entirely satisfactory. That of Muret, Ewert, and Braet/Raynaud de Lage at least makes sense, and their emendation, which I adopt, leads directly into 4308. 4310 The first letters may be read S iuos or S inos; nos is more plausible in an asseveration. 4311 A direct object is needed; Gregory alone supplies it, between square brackets. 4314 Ms.: et .i. petit fenestre ouert, = E[s]t un petit fenestre overt (emendation proposed by M4, and taking fenestre as being masculine, which would be unusual). This syntax is odd. Another possibility is Sandqvist’s initial A (for il y a); but his analogies in Béroul’s text are incorrect. One might try Un petit fenestre a overt (or, incorrectly, overz to rhyme with the faulty li cuvert corrected to li cuverz, 4313). Reid conjectures as the original reading Un petit pertus a overt (see pertus, 4321), which provides a normal word-order and correctly makes the final word a masculine singular oblique (but still does not account for the case-ending of cuvert). Every emendation proposed is open to challenge. Like Lacy and Gregory, I accept Sandqvist’s as the most economical solution. It seems that the pertus is an aperture in the chamber wall, roughly at garden level (since no steps are mentioned), narrow (so as to make entry impossible) but still wide enough that anyone moving past it could be noticed from within (4322). The opening, if uncovered, permits a view into the interior. The stationary head of Godoïne will cast a visible shadow on the curtain, which he will of course not have

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moved aside completely (4428, 4461–2). 4316 The definite article of la cortine implies that this is the normal arrangement. 4318 Ms.: Et bien espesse li iagloiz. Reid’s emendation; see his long note. Gregory follows suit. 4319–26 The spy’s plan, not exposed sequentially, is that one of the three felons will cut and sharpen a stick, take it along with him, enter the garden early and quietly, get close to the window-slit, and catch the curtain with the thorny twig. The curtain is of course on the inner side of the opening (4316), and the wall (being of stone) necessarily fairly thick; hence the instruction concerning the length of the twig the observer is to take with him (4323). 4322 Ms.: fors la fenestre; Reid proposes emending to fors a senestre. So also in Gregory (“making sure you keep to the left”). Lacy retains the ms. reading and translates, oddly, “be sure no one is passing by the window.” 4322–9 I understand: “Approach from the left, stop just before reaching the opening, prick the curtain with the branch and push it aside, cautiously, so that you can clearly see into the chamber.” Usually sachier means “to pull,” but it is difficult to grasp how pulling the curtain aside towards the observer (as Gregory and Lacy) could be performed inconspicuously. For sache (4327), Ewert in II proposes translating by a neutral verb: “move the curtain gently over the opening …”; Walter and Braet/ Raynaud de Lage modernize by the equally general écarte. 4323–4 These lines are out of sequence; necessarily the spy is to bring the tool with him. 4328 Ms.: c’on ne l’estache. Reid conjectures c’on ne le sache, “in such a way that they do not know it, without anyone’s knowing.” Gregory accepts this, as do I. Other editors understand that the curtain is not/ never fastened; but how could the spy be sure of this? 4338 The word orlois is not attested elsewhere. 4347 Béroul II seemingly forgets that we know who Perinis is. 4350 That Béroul II had in mind St Lubin, venerated in the diocese of Chartres, is most improbable, unless here the poet or scribe was quite indifferent to geography. A royal progress from Cornwall across the Channel to the Chartres region, decided for the next day, could scarcely be organized at a moment’s notice. I conjecture a local (and quite possibly garbled) place-name. 4352 The night cannot be “pitch-dark” (Gregory) or “noire” (Payen, Walter, Braet/Raynaud de Lage) or even “very dark” (Lacy).

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“Moonless” might come close, since there is still sufficient light for people to walk, ride, and hunt with dogs. Tristran is able to recognize both Godoïne (4356–7, 4396–7) and, at a distance, Denoalen (4369–71). It is summer; the iris is growing thickly (4318); the recent escondit took place in hot weather (4115, 4119). In the latitude of southern Britain (and of Normandy, for that matter), the summer nights are short, and dusky rather than black. (Both Béroul and Béroul II may very well have travelled in Cornwall.) 4353–68 Tristran, hiding in the thicket, and on foot, naturally moves more slowly than Godoïne, who is presumably mounted like Denoalan (4371f.). 4357 Ms.: Et sen venoit. Ewert takes Tristran to be the subject; Reid thinks it is Godoïne, and emends Et to Qui, as do Gregory and I. Braet/ Raynaud de Lage retain et s’en venoit and reserve judgment as to the subject. I add that the imperfect of venoit applies more naturally to Godoïne’s approach (from wherever he had conferred with the other hostile barons and the spy, 4271–4343) than to Tristran’s finite act of emerging from the thicket. 4372 Syntax requires granz; rhyme requires grant. 4373 This is the posture of a hunter at stand, steadying himself against a support (see 1694–5). Walter and Lacy take it that Tristran hides behind the apple tree; Payen and Gregory (“Further Notes,” 148) understand that Tristran has climbed up into the tree. The first of these conjectures is not impossible, the second most unlikely: climbing a tree, while encumbered with a sword at the least, would be awkward, and would probably attract the attention of the approaching rider (the latter being close enough to be recognizable) and his greyhounds. And if Tristran were to jump down from the tree it would certainly make the approaching horse shy. Tristran, in ambush, has every interest in being still until the last moment. 4381 The desfublez of the ms. should be retained, as most editors do; Tristran removes his hooded cloak prior to going into action (see 1250, 1254, 1983). We note that he puts it on again in 4406–7, and doffs it in Iseut’s chamber, 4425. (Gregory proposes emending to desfustez, “leapt down from the tree,” assuming that Tristran had gone up into it; see my note on 4373.) 4395–8 Editors have punctuated these lines variously. In 4396, ou is more suitable than or, although the latter is usually printed. The second hemistich of 4398 is obscure.

320

Notes

4401 Ms.: Que Doalan; standard correction. Li fel invites being emended to li feus (but other editors let it stand). 4407 Ms.: sei met (very indistinct). Muret prints se met, recommended by Reid; I follow this. 4413 Another ms. problem: et or ot? If et, can it be for est? This being unlikely (Godoïne is the subject in 4412–14), I opt for ot, understanding it with percie as a pluperfect, in line with the tenses in 4411–12. And is the last (abbreviated) word to be read percie or partie? Editors and translators differ on these points. The spy’s instructions to whichever man would go to the royal residence as observer (4321–30) were to prick the curtain at the window and cautiously move it aside, not to pierce it. (See Ewert, “On the Text,” 93, Reid, “The Tristran of Beroul: One Author or Two?,” 355, and note on 4319, above.) I take dedenz as meaning “on the inner side of the wall.” 4414f The recurrence of voir is striking, and foreshadows the spy Godoïne’s being shot in the eye. 4417 Ms.: vint. Given vit twice in 4414–15, and voit once in 4416, I take the word here (with Gregory alone) to be an error for vit. The topic of this whole passage is what the spy observes. He has a clear view of all that is in the chamber: no man except Perinis, but he does notice Brengain there. (And why would Brengain come into the chamber of her mistress, comb still in hand, after having combed her hair – elsewhere? It is noteworthy that the queen does not enter the room but is already there, 4426–7.) The only person the spy sees entering is Tristran (4421). 4420 The mistaken L e may come from 4419. 4420f Tristran enters with his trophy, his two arrows, and his unstrung bow. He must take Iseut’s meaning from her unexpected words and manner. He follows her instruction to bend his bow and give a demonstration of how he goes about bracing it; he is also to make sure that the bow-string is not tangled, and nock an arrow. Understanding that something is troubling her, he glances up, detects an observer at the window, draws his braced bow, turns towards the wall, and shoots. For an analysis of this final episode of the fragment, see SargentBaur, “Accidental Symmetry.” My remarks on p. 342 should be modified; I there overstated certain similarities between Marc-as-spy in the first preserved scene and Godoïne-as-spy in the episode before the manuscript breaks off. Marc certainly watched and overheard the lovers from above, in a tree; as for Godoïne’s own observation post, it

Notes

321

might be somewhat elevated (e.g., on an earthen bank), but nothing like tree height is implied (pace Maddox, 187). It is noteworthy that Iseut catches sight of the spy’s shadow as she rises to greet Tristran; Béroul does not account for this person’s being within her field of vision and so distracting her from greeting her lover normally. Only in 4459–61 does Tristran realize that her odd behaviour is the result of something she has seen; he looks up and sees it also. I add here that “looks up” presumably means that he raises his eyes from the bow and arrow in his hands. (He must turn to shoot, 4472.) 4422 Ms.: aucer or ancer (perhaps for entier; see Ewert II, 10, #7); the meaning is unclear. Muret emends to the weak Li ber; Sandqvist sides with Ewert. 4422–4 What Tristran brings with him corresponds to 4492–3, with the addition of Denoalan’s tresses. 4432 Ms.: Yseut tristran. Tristran is the subject (see 4433); the frequent absence in this text of the -s for the masculine singular nominative can, with an unusual word-order, be misleading (as in Gregory). See Ewert’s note. 4437 For mis en pris Ewert (glossary) gives “enhance the value of, exploit”; Reid suggests “bought or bargained for”; Walter and Braet/ Raynaud de Lage: “marchandera”; Lacy: “using”; Gregory: “proved in combat.” These are all reasonable conjectures. 4440 The first person plural, here and in 4456, is a reminder of Brengain’s presence. 4441 Ms.: T ristran sesteut/sestent sisapensa; in the light of 4457, printing s’estut is indicated. 4443 “He takes his decision” or perhaps “He takes her meaning.” 4447–9 The consensus of commentators and translators is that if Godoïne gets away alive he will cause a deadly war to resume between Marc and Iseut. But there has been no war between them, only strife fomented by others, specifically the three felons, on their account. Whitteridge (“The Tristan of Béroul,” 343) attributes these thoughts to Godoïne; Reid is not convinced. 4457 This line closely echoes 4441; in both, Tristran proceeds by stops and starts as he struggles to grasp Iseut’s ambiguous orders. 4458 Reid’s proposed correction of soit to (preterite) sot is questionable (but see his note on 3026–7). 4462 Tristran cannot identify the watcher hidden behind the curtain (no more can Iseut), but he guesses that it is one of the three felons (4466–7); he well knows that by now only two remain.

322

Notes

4463–71 Braet/Raynaud de Lage draw attention to the glaring inappropriateness of this prayer, combining as it does Tristran’s wish for an accurate bow-shot directed at one of his Cornish enemies with an evocation of God’s (i.e., Christ’s) sacrifice of himself for mankind. 4472–7 This feat of archery has given rise to divers interpretations, several stemming from readings of the word at the head of 4473, S oueut/S onent. (For a listing of some of these, see Sargent-Baur, “Accidental Symmetry,” 344–5, appendix A. I there postulate that the word in question cannot bear the meanings “repeatedly” or “slowly” or “vigorously” sometimes assigned to it.) This must be one more scribal blunder, a meaningless substitution for Son arc; see Reid and Gregory. Béroul has informed us of Tristran’s prowess as an archer (1279–80); as soon as the hero and Governal have rescued Iseut from the lepers and fled into the forest he undertakes to feed the three of them with game, using a bow and arrows supplied by his mestre. This is seemingly the equipment that he will use henceforth, to be supplemented for a time by the arc qui ne faut (1752). (The latter is a hidden trap set to fire when disturbed, not a normal hunting weapon and certainly not one that Tristran carries with him in this scene, as Maddox, 188.) 4484 This is the last sequential line of the text; Bleciez … at the bottom of the folio is the catchword for the missing next page.

Bibliography

The quantity of editions, translations, and studies devoted to Béroul’s romance is massive, and continues to swell; see “Béroul” in the annual Bibliographical Bulletin of the International Arthurian Society (Middleton, WI: A–R Editions). The following list embraces works that have been useful in the preparation of the present diplomatic and critical editions, and that are cited in the Notes. A more comprehensive bibliography to 1980 was drawn up by David J. Shirt: The Old French Tristran Poems: A Bibliographical Guide, in the series Research Bibliographies and Checklists (London: Grant and Cutler, 1980). As its title announces, the focus here is by no means limited to Béroul. Less wide-ranging, and more recent, is the bibliography appearing at the end of vol. II of Béroul: Tristran et Iseut, Poème du XIIe siècle, edited with a facing Modern French version and copious notes by Herman Braet and Guy Raynaud de Lage. 1. Editions and Translations Braet, Herman. Béroul, Le Roman de Tristan, version complète en français moderne. Gand: Edition Scientifiques, E. Story-Scientia SPRL, 1974. Braet, Herman, and Guy Raynaud de Lage. Béroul, Tristran et Iseut. 2 v. Paris and Louvain: Peeters, 1989. (I: Edition and Translation; II: Notes and Commentaries. 2nd edition revised, 1999.) Ewert, A[lfred]. The Romance of Tristran by Béroul. 2 v. Oxford: Blackwell, 1939, 1970. Gregory, Stewart. The Romance of Tristran by Béroul. Amsterdam and Atlanta: Rodopi, 1992. Jonin, Pierre. Béroul, le Roman de Tristan, traduit de l’ancien français. CFMA Traductions 20. Paris: Champion, 1974.

324

Bibliography

Lacy, Norris J. Béroul’s Tristran. In Early French Tristan Poems I, ed. Norris J. Lacy. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer, 1998. Muret, Ernest. (M0; “Muret”). Le Roman de Tristan par Béroul et un anonyme, poème du XIIe siècle. Paris: Société des Anciens Textes Français, 1903. – (M1). Béroul, le Roman de Tristan, poème du XIIe siècle. CFMA 12. Paris: Champion, 1913. 2nd edition revised, 1922. – (M2). Béroul, le Roman de Tristan, poème du XIIe siècle. CFMA 12. Paris: Champion, 1922. – (M3). 3rd edition revised, 1928. CFMA 12. – (M4). 4th edition revised by L.M. Defourques, 1947. CFMA 12. Payen, Jean-Charles. Le Tristan de Béroul. In Les Tristan en vers, ed. Jean-Charles Payen. Paris: Garnier, 1974. Poirion, Daniel. Béroul, Tristan et Yseut. Paris: Imprimerie Nationale, 1989. Revised and reprinted in Tristan et Yseut, les premières versions européennes, ed. Christiane Marchello-Nizia. Bibliothèque de la Pléiade. Paris: Gallimard, 1995. Varvaro, Alberto. Il “roman de Tristran” di Béroul. Turin: Bottega d’Erasmo, 1963. – Béroul’s Romance of Tristran. Trans. John C. Barnes. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1972. Walter, Philippe. Béroul, le Roman de Tristan. In Tristan et Iseut: Les poèmes français, la saga norroise, ed. Philippe Walter and Daniel Lacroix. Lettres Gothiques. Paris: Librairie Générale Française, 1989. 2. Studies Cited in the Notes to the Present Edition and Translation Acher, Jean. “Corrections au ‘Roman de Tristan par Béroul et un anonyme.’” Published by E. Muret, Zeitschrift für romanische Philologie 33 (1909): 720–5. Batany, Jean. “Le manuscrit de Béroul: Un texte difficile et un univers mental qui nous dérange.” In La Légende de Tristan au Moyen Age, ed. D. Buschinger. Göppingen: Kümmerle, 1982, 35–48. Baumgartner, Emmanuèle. “Jeux et rimes et roman arthurien.” Romania 103 (1982): 550–60. – “‘A la cour, il y avait trois barons’ (Béroul, v. 581).” In Le Roman de Tristan: Le maschere di Béroul, ed. Rosanna Brusegan. Rome: Salerno, 2001. Blakeslee, Merritt R. “Mal d’Acre, Malpertuis and the Date of Beroul’s Tristran.” Romania 106 (1985): 145–72. Blakeslee, Merritt R., and Glyn S. Burgess. “Dagres, d’Acre, degiez: Note sur le vers 3849 du Tristran de Béroul.” Romania 107 (1986): 536–40. Blakey, Brian. “On the Text of Béroul’s Tristran.” French Studies 21 (1967): 99–103.

Bibliography 325 – “Further Comments on the Text of Béroul’s Tristran.” French Studies 30 (1976): 129–39. Braet, Herman. “Remarques sur le texte de Béroul.” Zeitschrift für französische Sprache und Literatur 86 (1977): 49–50. – “Béroul et l’amour tristanien.” In Mitteralterstudien Erich Köhler zum Gedenken, ed. H. Krauss and D. Rieger. Studia Romanica 55. Heidelberg and Munich, 1984, 59–68. Bromiley, G[eoffrey] N. “A Note on Béroul’s Foresters.” Tristania 1 (1975): 39–46. – “Andret and the Tournament Episode in Béroul’s Tristran.” Medium Ævum 46 (1977): 181–95. – See Hunt, Tony, and Geoffrey Bromiley. Burch, Sally L. “‘Tu consenz lor cruauté’: The Canonical Background to the Barons’ Accusation in Béroul’s Roman de Tristan.” Tristania 20 (2001): 17–30. – “Leprosy and Law in Béroul’s Roman de Tristran.” Viator 38 (2007): 141–54. Ditmas, E.M.R. “The Invention of Tintagel.” BBSIA 23 (1971): 131–6. – “Béroul the Minstrel.” Reading Medieval Studies 8 (1982): 34–74. Ewert, A[lfred]. “On the Text of Béroul’s Tristran.” In Studies in French Language and Mediæval Literature presented to Professor Mildred K. Pope by Pupils, Colleagues and Friends. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1939, 89–98. Foulet, Lucien. “Marie de France et la légende de Tristran.” Zeitschrift für romanische Philologie 32 (1908): 257–89. – “Sire, Messire (I).” Romania 71 (1950): 1–48. Frappier, Jean. “Sur deux passages du Tristan de Béroul, I, v. 1909–11; II, v. 3928–54.” Romania 83 (1962): 251–8. – “Note complémentaire sur l’expression ‘au chemin for’ dans le Tristan de Béroul.” Romania 84 (1963): 77–9. Giacchetti, Alain. Review of the Medieval Miscellany E. Vinaver. Romance Philology 26 (1972–3): 181–4. Gregory, Stewart. “Notes on the Text of Beroul’s Tristan.” French Studies 35 (1981): 1–18. – “Further Notes on the Text of Béroul’s Tristan (Pt. One).” French Studies 42 (1988): 1–20 and 129–49. Hanoset, Micheline. “Unité ou dualité du Tristan de Béroul.” Le Moyen Age 67 (1961): 503–33. Henry, A. “Du subjonctif d’imminence contrecarrée à un passage du Tristan de Bèroul.” Romania 73 (1952): 392–407. – “Sur le vers 3675 du Tristan de Béroul.” Romania 96 (1975): 275–7. – “Sur les vers 320–338 du ‘Tristan’ de Bérould.” In Mélanges d’études romanes du moyen âge et de la Renaissance offerts à M. Jean Rychner. Travaux de Linguistique et de Littérature 16 1. Strasbourg, 1978, 209–15.

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– “Pour le commentaire du ‘Tristan’ de Béroul.” In Studies in Medieval French Language and Literature Presented to Brian Woledge in Honour of His 80th Birthday, ed. S. Burch North. Publications Romanes et Françaises 180. Geneva: Droz, 1987, 59–65. Holden, Anthony. “Note sur la langue de Béroul.” Romania 89 (1968): 388–99. Hunt, Tony. “Textual Notes on Béroul and Thomas: Some Problems of Interpretation and Emendation.” Tristania 1 (1975): 19–38. Hunt, Tony, and Geoffrey Bromiley. “The Tristan Legend in Old French Verse.” In Arthurian Literature in the Middle Ages IV: The Arthur of the French, ed. Glyn S. Burgess and Karen Pratt. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2006, 112–18. Illingworth, Richard N. “Thematic Duplication in Béroul’s Tristran.” Zeitschrift für romanische Philologie 101 (1977): 12–27. – “The Episode of the Ambiguous Oath in Beroul’s Tristran.” Zeitschrift für romanische Philologie 106 (1990): 22–42. – “The Composition of the Tristran of Béroul.” Arthurian Literature 18 (2001): 1–75. Jeanroy, Alfred. “Quelques corrections au texte du Tristan de Béroul.” In Melanges de philologie et d’histoire offerts à M. Antoine Thomas. Paris, 1927, 227–30. Jonin, Pierre. Les personnages féminins dans les romans français de Tristan au XIIe siècle: Etude des influences contemporaines. Publications des Annales de la Faculté des Lettres, Aix-en-Provence, 22. Gap: Ophrys, 1958. Lecoy, Félix. “Sur les vers 1461–1462 du Tristan de Béroul.” Romania 80 (1959): 82–5. – Review of Reid, The Tristran of Béroul, in Romania 93 (1972): 575–6. Le Gentil, Pierre. “La légende de Tristan vue par Béroul et Thomas.” Romance Philology 7 (1953–4): 111–29. – “L’épisode du Morrois et la signification du Tristan de Béroul.” In Studia philologica et litteraria in honore L. Spitzer. Berne: Francke, 1958, 267–74. Legge, Mary Dominica. “Place-Names and the Date of Beroul.” Medium Ævum 28 (1969): 171–4. Loth, Joseph. “Le Cornwall et le roman de Tristan.” Contributions à l’étude des romans de la Table Ronde. Paris: Champion, 1912; Revue Celtique 34 (1913): 365–96; and Revue Celtique 37 (1917–19): 317ff. Machta, Insaf. Poétique de la ruse dans le récits tristaniens français du XIIe siècle. Paris: Champion, 2010. Maddox, Donald. “L’auto-réécriture béroulienne et ses fonctions.” In Le Roman de Tristan: Le maschere di Béroul, ed. Rosanna Brusegan. Rome: Salerno, 2001, 181–90.

Bibliography 327 Ménard, Philippe. Le rire et le sourire dans le roman courtois en France au moyen âge (1150–1250). Geneva: Droz, 1969. – “L’art de Béroul.” In le Roman de Tristran: Le maschere di Béroul, ed. Rosanna Brusegan. Rome: Salerno, 2001, 221–39 Moignet, Gérard. “Remarques sur le pronon personnel régime dans la syntaxe du ‘Tristan’ de Béroul.” In Mélanges de langue et de littérature médiévale offerts à Pierre Le Gentil. Paris: SEDES and EDU, 1973, 561–8. Newstead, Helaine. “King Mark of Cornwall.” Romance Philology 11 (1957–8): 155–66. Padel, Oliver J. “The Cornish Background to the Tristan Stories.” Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies 1 (1981): 53–81. – “Beroul’s Geography and Patronage.” Reading Medieval Studies 9 (1983): 84–94. Raynaud de Lage, Guy. “Faut-il attribuer à Béroul tout le Tristan?” Moyen Age 64 (1958): 249–70. Rpt. in Raynaud de Lage, Les premiers romans français et autres études littéraires et linguistiques. Publications Romanes et Françaises 138. Geneva: Droz, 1976, 103–19. – “Faut-il attribuer à Béroul tout le Tristan? (suite et fin).” Moyen Age 70 (1964): 33–8. Rpt. in Raynaud de Lage, Les premiers romans français, 121–5. Reid, T[homas] B[ertram] W[allace]. “On the Interpretation of Béroul, Tristan 4223–5.” Romania 85 (1964): 366–7. – “On the Text of the Tristran of Beroul.” In Medieval Miscellany Presented to Eugène Vinaver. Manchester and New York: Manchester University Press, 1965, 263–88. – “The Tristran of Beroul: One Author or Two?” Modern Language Review 60 (1965): 352–8. – The “Tristran” of Béroul: A Textual Commentary. Oxford: Blackwell, 1972. Sandqvist, Sven. Notes textuelles sur le Roman de Tristan de Béroul. Etudes romanes de Lund 39. Lund: CWK Gleerup, 1984. Sargent-Baur, Barbara N. “Medieval ris, risus: A Laughing Matter?” Medium Ævum 43 (1974): 116–32 – “Between Fabliau and Romance: Love and Rivalry in Béroul’s Tristran.” Romania 105 (1984): 292–311. – “Truth, Half-Truth, Untruth: Béroul’s Telling of the Tristran Story.” In The Craft of Fiction, ed. L. Arrathoon. Rochester, MI: Solaris Press, 1984, 393–421. – “Béroul’s Tristran and the Praise of Folie.” Bibliographical Bulletin of the International Arthurian Society 38 (1986): 289–97. – “La dimension morale dans le Roman de Tristran de Béroul.” Cahiers de Civilisation Médiévale 31 (1988): 49–56.

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– “Accidental Symmetry: The First and Last Episodes of Béroul’s Roman de Tristran.” Neophilologus 88 (2004): 335–51. Skårup, Povl. Les premières zones de la proposition en ancien français. Essai de syntaxe de position. Revue romane. Special issue 6. Copenhagen, 1975. Tanquerey, Frédéric J. “Notes sur le texte du Roman de Tristan de Béroul.” Romania 56 (1930): 114–22. Varvaro, Alberto. “La teoria dell’archetipo tristaniano.” Romania 68 (1967): 13–58. Vinaver, Eugène. “Pour le commentaire du vers 1650 du Tristran de Béroul.” In Studies in Medieval French Presented to Alfred Ewert. Oxford: Blackwell, 1961, 90–5. – “Remarques sur quelques vers de Béroul.” In Studies in Medieval Literature and Languages in Memory of Frederick Whitehead. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1973, 341–52. Whitteridge, Gweneth. “The Tristan of Béroul.” In Medieval Miscellany Presented to Eugène Vinaver. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1965, 337–56. Whitteridge, G. “The Date of the Tristan of Beroul.” Medium Aevum 28 (1959): 167–71. 3. Other Texts and Reference Works Cited Brody, Saul N. The Disease of the Soul: Leprosy in Medieval Literature. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 1974. Les Deux Poèmes de la Folie Tristan. Ed. Félix Lecoy. Paris: Champion, 1994. Eilhart von Oberg. Tristrant. Ed. Danielle Buschinger. Göppingen: Kümmerle, 1976. La Folie de Tristan, version de Berne. Ed. Mireille Denaules. In Tristan et Yseut: Les premières versions européennes, ed. Christiane Marchello-Nizia et al. Paris: Gallimard, 1995. Godefroy, Frédéric. Dictionnaire de l’ancienne langue française. Paris: Vieweg, 1881–1902. Greimas, Algirdas Julien. Dictionnaire de l’ancien français. Paris: LarousseBordas, 2001. Milin, Gaël. Le Roi Marc aux oreilles de cheval. PRF 197. Geneva: Droz, 1991. Morawski, Joseph. Proverbes français antérieurs au XVe siècle. Paris: Champion, 1925. Pope, M.K. From Latin to Modern French with Especial Consideration of AngloNorman. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1934. Stone, L., W. Rothwell, et al. Anglo-Norman Dictionary. London: Maney (Modern Humanities Research Association), 1977–92; 2nd edition (A–E, ed. W. Rothwell), 2005–.

Bibliography 329 Thomas. Le Roman de Tristan par Thomas, poème du XIIe siècle. Ed. Joseph Bédier. 2 v. 1902, 1905. – Tristan et Yseut. Ed. Christiane Marchello-Nizia. In Tristan et Yseut: Les premières versions européennes, ed. Christiane Marchello-Nizia et al. Paris: Gallimard, 1995. Tilander, Gunnar. Mélanges d’étymologie cynégétique. Lund: Blom, 1958. Tobler, A., and E. Lommatzsch. Altfranzösisches Wörterbuch. Berlin: Steiner, 1925–.

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Index of Proper Names

The names are reproduced as they appear in the Critical Edition. Agres 3849 (mal dagres). Sometimes taken as an allusion to the crusaders’ siege of Acre, Syria, in 1190–1 Adan 1134. Adam André, Saint 3132. Patron saint of Scotland, whose relics were venerated at St Andrews Andret, Andrez. Seemingly the name of two characters, one a baron at Marc’s court, 2870, 3783, 3877, the other an opponent of Tristran at the Mal Pas, 4035, 4039, 4041 Artur, Artus 649, 684, etc. King Arthur Baudas 3904. Baghdad Bel Joëor (le) 3997. Tristran’s steed Berous 1268, 1790. Béroul Blanche Lande (la), la Lande Blanche 2653, 3268, 3298, 4009, 4085. A heath in Cornwall Brengain 340, 347, etc. Iseut’s maid and companion Bretaigne 2247. Brittany Caharés 3076. Carhaix in Brittany. See Tresmor Carduel 650, 684. Carlisle in Cumberland, North of England Carloon 3758. Caerleon (upon Usk? in Wales) Castele 3987. Castile, in Spain Chatons 1939. Cato the Elder, to whom moralizing aphorisms were attributed in the Middle Ages Cinglor 4057. One of Arthur’s knights

332

Index of Proper Names

Coris 4058. Another of Arthur’s knights [Corneu]lans 468, 953. Cornishmen Cor[neuale]is 121, 877; Corneualois 2545, 4122. Cornishmen Cornot 3056, 3254, 3265. Cornishman Cornouwalle 854, 1371, etc.; Cornoualle 1471, 2655, etc. Cornwall Costentin 278. Constantine (emperor) Costentin 2386. Constantine in Cornwall, Cotentin in Normandy, or perhaps a place-name chosen simply to make a point Croiz Roge (la) 1909, 2419, etc.; la Croiz 1915, 1957. A cross marking a crossroads Cuerlion. See Carloon Damledé 909, 2584. The Lord God (Dominus Deus) Denoalen 4382, 4434; also Denoalent 4374, Denoalan 4371, Denaalain 3474, Dinoalen 3484, Dinaalen 3484, Dono[a]len 3839, Donoalent 4238, Do[n]alan 4431, Danalain 3139. One of the three barons hostile to Tristran, who kills him Deu 5, 755, etc.; Deus 22, 39, etc., Dé 804, 937, etc. God Dinan 1085, 1133, 2847. Fief of Dinas Dinas 1085, 1125, etc. Marc’s seneschal and a friend of the lovers Dureaume 2232; Durelme 4264. Durham (city in the North of England) Escoce 3133. Scotland Estiene, Saint 3070. St Stephen, the first Christian martyr Evains 3483. Knight of the Round Table. See Ivain Evrol, Saint 238. St Ebrulfus (Evroul), of Normandy, venerated at Bayeux Frise 2246, 2408, 2610. Dumfries in Scotland (?) Frocin 320, 645; also Frocins 328, Frocine 470, 1348, 1349. Dwarf and soothsayer at Marc’s court, Tristran’s enemy, killed by Marc for revealing his shameful secret Gales 336, 2099, 2129. Wales Galois 3758. Welshman Gascoigne 1974. Gascony Gauvain (Gawain) 3414, 3471; also Gauvains 3258, 3457, etc., Vauvain 4058. Arthur’s nephew, knight of the Round Table Gavoie 2631. Galloway in Scotland Gerflet 3471, 4011, 4057; also Girflet 4014, Girflez 3259. Knight of the Round Table

Index of Proper Names

333

Godoïne 3138, 3474, 4462; also Goudoïne 3477, 4239, etc., Goudouine 4396. A baron hostile to Tristran, who kills him Governal 242, 965, etc. Tristran’s tutor and companion Gué Aventuros, le 1320, 2677, etc. Marshy ford, scene of Frocin’s revelation of Marc’s deformity to the barons (for which he is killed). Later, Iseut chooses it for the scene comprising the preliminary to her formal disculpation. See also Mal Pas Guenelon 3138, 3475, 4238; Guenelons 3462. One of the three hostile barons Horlande 2558 (note) Hudent 1589, 2778; also Husdan 1484, Husdant 1475, 1503, 2724, Husdanz 1445, Husdens 1561, Husdent 1457, 1511, etc. Tristran’s hunting-dog Irlande 2033, 2557, etc. Ireland Iseut 197, 296, etc., also Yseut 101, 212, etc. Irish princess, Marc’s queen, Tristran’s mistress Isneldone 3373. Snowdon in northwest Wales (?); see note Ivain 1219, 1347, 1520; also Ivains 1190, Ivein 1156, Yvain 1261, 1365, Yvains 1228, 1229. Leader of the leper band that carries off Iseut Ivain 4057; also Evains 3483. One of Arthur’s knights Jehan, la saint 2147. The feast of St John the Baptist, 24 June Jesu 1000, 2236. Jesus Joëor, le Bel. See Bel Lancïen 1155, 2359, etc.; also Lencïen 2394. Village in Cornwall on the River Fowey; in Béroul, a populous city and residence of Marc Lidan 2232, 3562. Cornish place-name (not identified); part of Marc’s kingdom and the fief of Dinas Loenoi 2868, also Loenois 2310 (ms. Orlenois). Lothian in southeastern Scotland (?) Lubin, Saint 4350. Sixth-century bishop venerated in the diocese of Chartres. (This name is questionable; see note.) Lucifer 322. The planet Venus Mal Pas, le 3295, 3347, etc.; also le Pas 3614. The “bad crossing,” modern Malpas, on a tributary of the Truro River, where Iseut plays out her public charade of riding the “leper” Malpertis 4285. The den of the sly fox in the Roman de Renart

334

Index of Proper Names

Marc 349, 1334, 1337, etc.; also Mars 1969. King of Cornwall, husband of Iseut, uncle of Tristran Marie, Sainte 148, 1000. Mary, mother of Jesus Martin, Saint 476. St Martin of Tours Mont, le 2733. Presumably St Michael’s Mount in the bay, off Marazion, in southwestern Cornwall Morhot, le 136, 2038; also le Morhout 28, 848, 855, etc. An Irish giant, Iseut’s uncle, who raided Cornwall for a tribute of Cornish children; slain by Tristran Morrois 1648, 1662, 2090, etc.; also Morroi 1900, forest de Morrois 1275. Forest in southwestern Cornwall where the lovers take refuge for three years Nicole 2879. Lincoln (birthplace of Andret, knight and counsellor at Marc’s court) Niques 4129. Nicaea Noirs de la Montaigne, li 4016. The disguised Tristran, all in black, is taken for this legendary figure Ogrin (also called frere, l’ermite, maistre) 1362, 2266, 2282, etc. The hermit having his oratory in the forest of Morrois Orient 322. Orion Orri 2818, 3017; also Orris 3019. Forester in the Morrois who shelters Tristran and Iseut Otran 1406. Saracen king of Nîmes in the epic cycle of Guillaume d’Orange Pas 3614. See Mal Pas Passelande 3522. King Arthur’s steed Pentecoste, la 1776. The Feast of Pentecost Perinis 2761, 2830, 3026, etc.; also Pirinis 764, 3393. Iseut’s squire and messenger Qeu (Kay) 3259. Knight of the Round Table and Arthur’s seneschal Renebors 3722. Ratisbonne/Regensburg Richier, Saint 3466 Rome 281, 1138, 2386; also la loi de Rome (law of the Church of Rome) 660, 2194 Saisne 3254; also Sesne 3426. Saxon Salemon 41, 1461. Solomon; two sayings are here attributed to him Sanson, Saint 2973, 2994. Cathedral church of Lantyan, Marc’s chief residence

Index of Proper Names

335

Saut Tristran, le 954. Steep cliff in North Cornwall Segoçon 279. Dwarf reputed to have been the lover of the Emperor Constantine’s wife Table Reonde, la 3379, 3706. Arthur’s Round Table Thomas, Saint 1126. St Thomas (presumably introduced for the rhyme) Tintaguel 264, also Tintajol 880, 1040, 3150. A residence of King Marc, on the northwest coast of Cornwall, then near the Mal Pas Tolas 4058. Knight of the Round Table Tresmor, Saint 3076. St Trechmer/Trémeur, patron saint of the church of Carhaix (Caharés) in Brittany Tristran 5, 18, 21, etc.; also Tristrain 407, Tristrans 467, 1423, 1637, Tristranz 2960. King Marc’s nephew, and lover of Iseut Tudele 3410. Tudela in Spanish Navarre Urien 3483. Father of the knight Ivain Vauvain 4058. Gauvain Ylaire, Saint 4201. St Hilary Yseut. See Iseut Yvain. See Ivain